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Promoting District Cooling Innovation for a Sustainable Smart Energy Future
Collocated with
- 22 – 23 June 2027
- Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Event Partners
Knowledge Partners
Highlight Videos
INTERNATIONAL DITRICT COOLING CONFERENCE
MENA DISCTRICT COOLING PROJECTS
MEPIC CONFERENCE
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Welcome Message from
the Chairman,
Conference Advisory Board
Building on the strong momentum of our previous editions, I am delighted to welcome you to the 2027 International District Cooling Conference, where industry leaders, policymakers, developers, utilities, and technology innovators will come together to shape the next chapter of sustainable cooling in Saudi Arabia and the wider region.
As demand for efficient cooling continues to grow, the industry must accelerate the adoption of intelligent, low-carbon, and water-efficient solutions. This year’s conference will explore the future of district cooling through the integration of AI-enabled plant optimisation, digital twins, thermal energy storage, renewable energy, advanced water management, and next-generation cooling technologies. We will also examine decarbonisation strategies, resilient infrastructure, regulatory developments, innovative financing models, and the critical role of district cooling in supporting giga projects, smart cities, and the Kingdom’s Net Zero ambitions.
Samer Abusaa
Chairman, Advisory Board
International District Cooling Conference (IDCC) KSA
Samer Abusaa
Chairman, Advisory Board
International District Cooling Conference (IDCC) KSA
It is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2nd International District Cooling Conference (IDCC). Since our last gathering, the district cooling sector has continued to gain momentum as one of the most effective solutions to meet energy efficiency goals and sustainable development ambitions.
ABOUT THE 2027 EDITION
Building on the success of previous editions, the 3rd International District Cooling Conference 2027 will further reinforce its position as the go-to regional platform advancing sustainable district cooling solutions across the Kingdom and beyond.
As the Kingdom and the wider MENA district cooling market continue to evolve, the conference will remain the preferred meeting point for solution providers, enabling direct engagement with major project owners and key stakeholders. It will create valuable opportunities to establish strategic partnerships and position participants as trusted collaborators and preferred suppliers for upcoming developments across the Kingdom’s rapidly expanding urban and infrastructure landscape.
2027 Key Topics:
- Enhancing regulations, standards and market frameworks for sustainable growth
- Scaling district cooling across Saudi Vision 2030 giga projects and smart cities
- Advancing AI, digital twins and predictive analytics for cooling efficiency
- Data Centers and sustainable district cooling
- Digitizing Operations, Asset Management and Maintenance to Drive Efficiency
- Driving water-efficient cooling through zero-water and circular solutions
- Expanding PPP models, investment frameworks and concession opportunities
- Optimising thermal energy storage and grid-integrated cooling resilience
- Unlocking next-generation cooling technologies for resilient urban development
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Key Project Updates
Project Name:District Cooling Plant Project – King Salman Park.
Capacity: capacity of 60,000 (TR) over a period of 25yrs
Awarded to: Saudi Tabreed
EPC: SNC – Lavalin
Status: Current Project
Project Name: District Cooling Plant Project – Al Khuzama Infrastructure – Diriyah Gate
Capacity: 72,500 (TR) over a period of 25yrs
Value: 186.41 million USD
Awarded to: City Cool
Status: Current Project
Project Name: Mega Cooling Plant Construction Project – Riyadh City by Al Watania Poultry
Capacity: 17,700 kW capacity
Project Name: District Cooling Plant Project – NEOM Economic Zone
Capacity: 200,000 (TR)
Project Name: KEC first district cooling plant
Capacity: 21,000 (TR) over two phases at the Madinah Hub area to provide cooling services to the mall, the Hilton tower, and the branded residence tower over 25yrs period
Awarded to: City Cool, Johnson Controls Arabia, and ADC Energy Systems
Advisory Board
Samer Abusaa
Chairman
Advisory Board
Khalid AlMulhim
General Director
PROTECOOLING - ALMULHIM Design, KSA
Hassan Younes
Co-CEO & Founder
grfn
Mohamed Abdelrahim
President
ASHRAE Saudi Arabia Chapter
SPEAKERS
Samer Abusaa
Chairman
Advisory Board
Ihab Mansour
Chief Executive Officer
Gas Chill
Steve Lemoine
Chief Executive Officer
Dalkia EDF Group
Abobaker Al Hadrami
Chief Operating Officer
Marafeq Qatar
Dr. Alaa Olama
Head of the Egyptian Overarching Committee of all Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Code
Nabil Shahin
Managing Director
Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI)
Eng. Islam Mohammed
Sales Director – Applied Products
HH Shaker – Media Building Tech
Eng. Feras Adnan
Strategic Account Leader – Chillers Business
HH Shaker - Midea Building Tech
Mousa Nabeel
Head of Sales – Chillers
LG Regional HQ, Saudi Arabia
Hassan Younes
Co-CEO & Founder
grfn
Khalid AlMulhim
General Director
PROTECOOLING - ALMULHIM Design, KSA
Tamer Dahdouli
Associate Director
Diriyah Company
Mohamed Abdelrahim
President
ASHRAE Saudi Arabia Chapter
Mohamed Zackariah
Chief Consultant
PROTECOOLING - ALMULHIM Design, Saudi Arabia
Maen Al Nimrawi
Director
Delivery and Operations - Global, Alpin Limited
Sankar G. Palanisamy
Group Manager – Smart Cities & BMS Sales
Yokogawa
Osama Azzam
ASHRAE Chapter Vice-President
Dr. Magdi Rashad
Managing Director
Al Tafawq Project Management
Fawaz Al-Rashed
Head of Business Development
City Cool
Ezzeddine Jradi
Chief Transformation and Business Excellence Officer
Emicool
Mohannad Khader
Commercial and Development Director
Qatar Cool
Malla Al-Ahmadi
Business Development Manager
Diarona District Energy Ltd
Mohammed Youbi Idrissi
Technical Leader
EMEA Zone
Ahmed Elgamal
Principal Consultant – Piping & Pipe Supports
Inka
Mathias Safarik
Head of Department
ILK Dresden (Research Institute) Germany
Key Objectives
POLICY AND REGULATION
Address regulatory and policy frameworks district cooling and suggest improvements
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
Discuss and promote environmentally friendly and sustainable district cooling solutions
RESILIENT INFRASTRUCTURE
Discuss and promote strategies for building resilient energy efficient urban infrastructure capable of addressing the cooling challenges in the kingdom
TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION
Showcase cutting-edge technologies and innovations focused on district cooling that mitigate environmental impacts
Agenda
08.30
Registration
09:00
Opening Remarks from Great Minds Group
- Akinola Solanke, Conference Director, Great Minds Group
09:05
Welcome Remarks by Conference Chairman
- Hassan Younes, Co-CEO & Founder, grfn
09:10
Welcome Address by the IDCC Conference Advisory Committee Chair
- Samer Abusaa, Chairman, Advisory Board, International District Cooling Conference
09:15
Panel Session:
Regulation and Market Frameworks Shaping the Next Stage of Saudi District Cooling Policy
- Evaluating the integration of district cooling into national energy‑efficiency and urban‑planning guidelines, and its implications for the sector
- Exploring how the new district cooling infrastructure procurement framework can be scaled to attract greater investment
- Assessing the role of DC planning within urban development masterplans for mega-projects and smart cities
- Identifying the future direction of DC policy in the Kingdom as adoption and market interest continue to grow
Moderator:
- Hassan Younes, Co-CEO & Founder, grfn
Panelist:
- Ihab Mansour, Chief Executive Officer, Gas Chill
- Steve Lemoine, Chief Executive Officer, Dalkia EDF Group
- Abobaker Al Hadrami, Chief Operating Officer, Marafeq Qatar
- Khalid AlMulhim, General Director, PROTECOOLING - ALMULHIM Design, KSA
- Eng. Islam Mohammed, Sales Director – Applied Products, HH Shaker –Midea Building Tech
10:10
Keynote Presentation
Midea Magnetic Centrifugal Chillers: Innovative Cooling Solutions
Speaker:
- Eng. Feras Adnan, Strategic Account Leader – Chillers Business, HH Shaker - Midea Building Tech
10:25
Stakeholders Panel Session:
Decarbonizing District Cooling: NIK Technologies, Low-Carbon Refrigerants, and the Path to Net-Zero Systems
- Making the case for Not-In-Kind (NIK) technologies to help reduce emissions and reshape the technical and commercial model of district cooling plants
- Transitioning to low-GWP refrigerants and their impact on efficiency, regulatory compliance, and long-term sustainability
- Assessing the feasibility, cost, and performance of NIK-driven DC strategies in the GCC, with particular focus on Saudi Arabia
- Policy, investment, and innovation enablers to scale low-carbon district cooling solutions across new developments
Moderator:
- Nabil Shahin, Managing Director, Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI)
Panelist:
- Dr. Alaa Olama, Head of the Egyptian Overarching Committee of all Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Codes
- Mohamed Abdelrahim, President, ASHRAE Saudi Arabia Chapter
- Mousa Nabeel, Head of Sales – Chillers, LG Regional HQ, Saudi Arabia
11:10
Keynote Presentation by LG
- Mousa Nabeel, Head of Sales – Chillers, LG Regional HQ, Saudi Arabia
11:25
VIP Exhibition Tour and Networking Coffee Break
12:05
Presentation :
PPP Models for District Cooling: Challenges, Best Practices, and the Way Forward
- Tamer Dadouli, Associate Director, Diriyah Company
12:20
Presentation:
Integrated Energy Optimization for Sustainable District Cooling
- Sankar G. Palanisamy, Group Manager – Smart Cities & BMS Sales, Yokogawa
12:35
Presentation:
Achieving the Ultimate Energy and Environmental Balance in District Cooling for Hot Regions
- Mohammed Youbi Idrissi, Europe & MEA Technical Leader, Solstice Advanced Materials
12:45
Fire Side Chat:
Scaling Infrastructure Through Utility-Led and Concession-Based Investment Models in the Kingdom
- How BOOT and PPP concession models are driving district cooling expansion in Saudi Arabia
- The role of utility-scale developers in owning, financing, and operating cooling infrastructure
- Structuring long-term concession agreements that balance investor returns and tariff stability
- Examining proven district cooling assets as benchmarks for bankability and scalability
- Lessons from regional utility models that outperform service-based approaches in GCC markets
Moderator:
- Hassan Younes, Co-CEO & Founder, grfn
Panelists:
- Mohannad Khader, Commercial and Development Director, Qatar Cool
- Malla Al-Ahmadi, Business Development Manager, Diarona District Energy Ltd
13:15
Presentation:
Optimizing Lifecycle Performance – Advanced Stress Analysis & Integrated Pipe Supports Systems in District Cooling Plants & Networks
- Ahmed Elgamal, Principal Consultant – Piping & Pipe Supports, Inka
13:30
Fire Side Chat
Digital-First District Cooling – Ushering the Era of AI, Predictive Optimization and Fully Autonomous Plants
- Exploring the role of AI and machine learning in district cooling operations to drive efficiency
- Leveraging digital twins to enable predictive optimization and system efficiency
- Reducing outages and improving reliability through real-time monitoring and analytics
- Unlocking operational savings and smarter dispatch across national DC networks
Moderator:
- Nabil Shahin, Managing Director, Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI)
Speaker:
- Ezzeddine Jradi, Chief Transformation and Business Excellence Officer, Emicool
- Dr. Magdi Rashad, Managing Director, Al Tafawq Project Management Services
14:00
Chairman Closing Remarks
14:05
Networking Lunch and End of Conference Day 1
09:30
Welcome Note by Conference Chairman
- Hassan Younes, Co-CEO & Founder, grfn
09:35
Panel Session:
Water-Optimized District Cooling – Next-Generation Water Efficiency and Alternative Water Sources
- Exploring strategies to reduce water consumption in district cooling systems
- Assessing the use of alternative water sources such as treated wastewater and seawater
- Highlighting technology innovations for water-efficient district cooling plant design
- Discussing regulatory and policy frameworks to support water optimization in DC networks
- Evaluating the impact of water efficiency measures on sustainability and operational costs
Moderator
- Hassan Younes, Co-CEO & Founder, grfn
Panelists:
- Dr. Alaa Olama, Head of the Egyptian Overarching Committee of all Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Codes
- Mohamed Zackariah, Chief Consultant, PROTECOOLING - ALMULHIM Design, Saudi Arabia
- Tamer Dadouli, Associate Director, Diriyah Company
10:30
Keynote Presentation:
Pathways to Carbon-Neutral Operations in the DC Sector:
The application of NIK cooling technologies in the air-side of District Cooling Systems
Speaker:
- Dr. Alaa Olama, Head of the Egyptian Overarching Committee of all Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Codes
10:45
Panel Discussion:
Micro-District Cooling and Decentralized Networks for Mid-Sized Urban Developments
- Exploring modular plug-and-play district cooling systems for smaller developments
- Utilizing pre-engineered cooling modules to reduce installation time and cost
- Implementing neighborhood-scale energy centers to serve mid-sized urban areas
- Evaluating how decentralized networks can accelerate adoption in smaller cities
- Discussing operational and maintenance benefits of micro-district cooling systems
Moderator:
- Maen Al Nimrawi, Director, Delivery and Operations - Global, Alpin Limited
Panelists:
- Tamer Dadouli, Associate Director, Diriyah Company
- Dr. Magdi Rashad, Managing Director, Al Tafawq Project Management Services
- Hassan Younes, Co-CEO & Founder, grfn
11:35
Networking Coffee Break
12:05
Presentation:
Right-Sizing District Cooling Capacity for Sustainable Urban Growth
- Discussing why “the right capacity, in the right place, at the right time” is the foundation of sustainable and efficient cooling
- Addressing the economic and operational risks of designing for theoretical peaks instead of real, validated demand
- Exploring how modular, scalable systems improve load factors and reduce stranded capacity
- Establishing the link between optimized capacity planning and improved long-term urban and economic resilience
Speaker:
- Dr. Magdi Rashad, Managing Director, Al Tafawq Project Management Services
12:20
Presentation:
Additive free ice slurry – status and application in district cooling
Speaker:
- Mathias Safarik, Head of Department, ILK Dresden (Research Institute), Germany
12:30
Panel:
Achieving Operational Excellence and Efficient Asset Management in District Cooling Plants
- Exploring strategies to optimize plant operations and performance
- Implementing predictive maintenance and digital monitoring for DC assets
- Enhancing reliability and minimizing downtime in district cooling networks
- Discussing best practices for lifecycle management and cost efficiency
- Leveraging data and technology to improve operational decision-making
Moderator:
- Hassan Younes, Co-CEO & Founder, grfn
Panelists:
- Maen Al Nimrawi, Director, Delivery and Operations - Global, Alpin Limited
- Osama Azzam, ASHRAE Saudi Chapter Vice-President
- Mohamed Zackariah, Chief Consultant, PROTECOOLING - ALMULHIM Design, Saudi Arabia
12:40
Industry Innovation Session
This session will highlight the latest technologies in district cooling design, construction, and operation. The session will consist of presentations from industry experts who will provide insight and case studies on the successful application of innovative technologies towards achieving efficiency.
- Insight 4
- Insight 5
13:10
Chairman Closing Remarks
13:15
Networking Lunch and End of 2ND IDCC KSA 2026
Testimonials
Congrats to the organizers for a great event. Great job bringing everyone together and well satisfied with the discussions and knowledge shared. District cooling in Saudi Arabia is an important topic with lots of potential and opportunities and we look forward to how we build on this success in future edition.
The International District Cooling Conference has been a highly impactful event, and it’s been a great pleasure to promote our products and solutions. We had the opportunity to showcase the latest advancements in our chiller systems and highlight our most up-to-date technologies. The event also provided a valuable platform to connect with industry experts, consultants, designers, and key stakeholders. It has been an excellent opportunity for us to exchange knowledge, engage with the market, and explore new opportunities and innovations in the district cooling sector.
We’re grateful to the organizers for this excellent event.
Today, I had the opportunity to meet several engineers, technical experts, and industry professionals. The sessions were insightful—providing valuable updates on the Middle East market, including government strategies and policies
I was really overwhelmed with the amount of attendance and participation.
And, also during the panel discussions, there was a lot of insightful and thought-provoking discussion about innovation, the future of district cooling in this region. It looks very promising, and it's, good news for all the stakeholders, whether you're a manufacturer or a consultant. There's going to be a lot of giant projects in, Saudi Arabia and the region that's going to cover district cooling.
With Saudi Arabia at a pivotal stage in its Vision 2030 journey—driving one of the most ambitious development agendas globally—the demand for advanced district cooling technologies has seen a significant surge. Participating in and partnering with an event like IDCC 2025 is therefore of great strategic importance to us at LG. We are proud to be part of this platform, where we have the opportunity to showcase our cutting-edge centrifugal chillers—engineered to deliver optimal performance in the region’s most challenging climate conditions while meeting the highest efficiency standards.
I was really impressed with the event. Good organization and weve had the opportunity to meet with a lot of key stakeholders. I had the privilege of delivering a keynote on Maximizing availability and efficiency of District Cooling Plants, which was well received, and we look forward to more engagement at future editions.
This is our first time participating in the IDCC, and I must say we’ve been impressed by the strong turnout. What stands out most for us is that the attendees are highly relevant to our field—professionals with deep technical expertise. The quality of discussions has been excellent so far, and we truly appreciate the opportunity to be part of such a focused and well-organized event. Thank you.
This is our first time participating at the IDCC, and I must say it has been a truly successful event. We’ve experienced great foot traffic and engaged with many professionals who showed genuine interest in the solutions we offer.
The quality of the speakers has been exceptional, with presentations that are highly relevant to the key issues and trends shaping our industry. Our own presentation was very well received, and there was strong interest in our approach to both traditional and modular district cooling plants which we offer.
Thank you once again for the opportunity—it’s been a rewarding experience.
We are honored to be among the great minds in IDCC, which are shaping the district cooling future in Saudi Arabia as well as Gulf. Thank you for a well organized and attended event. It has been a great opportunity for us to showcase our fifty years’ experience in HVAC equipment, manufacturing all types of HVAC equipment, designed and manufactured in Gulf for Gulf region
“IDCC event at Hilton Jeddah was a timely and impactful gathering of industry leaders and innovators. The depth of technical discussions, coupled with real-world insights, underscored the region’s growing commitment to efficient cooling solutions. A valuable platform for collaboration and future-forward thinking.”
The potential here is immense, and we are eager to contribute to Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030. We sincerely thank the organizers for putting this event together and for giving us the opportunity to introduce our company to the Saudi market.
We are a Danish company specializing in the manufacturing of smart metering solutions. Our expertise spans a wide range of applications, including meters for district cooling, heating, water, and electricity—each designed to support smarter, more efficient infrastructure systems.
Key Themes
- Decarbonization of the Heating and Cooling Sector
- Retrofitting and Cost Optimization
- Billing and Smart Metering
- Digitalization of District Cooling Plants and Processes
- Unlocking the Potential of District Cooling towards a Sustainable Built Sector
- Addressing Emission Reductions and Reduced Energy Consumptions
- Sustainable Infrastructure Investment – Leveraging PPP to accelerate investment in Energy
- Strategies for Minimizing Water and Energy Consumption in District Cooling Plants
Sponsorship Message
If you have a product or service that will be valuable to leading organizations in the field of Heating and Cooling Sector, please contact us on partnerships@gmevents.ae to find out more about sponsorship packages and opportunities.
Opportunities to Participate
We only work with the best to offer the best to our customers. Great Minds Conferences are a great platform to get your message across to your target audience. Whether you are looking to educate your target market, launch a new product or increase your branding and visibility, our team will work closely with you to develop a package that suits your requirements and helps you stand out as a Great Mind in this space.
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Why Get Involved
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Online event registrations are now closed.
You may purchase your ticket at the event registration counter on the 1st day of the event.
Please refer to the agenda for timings.
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