First UAE national becomes member of IDEA board of directors

Ahmad Bin Shafar, the CEO of Empower, the largest district cooling service provider in the region, has been appointed as a member of the board of directors of the US-based International District Energy Association (IDEA). Bin Shafar is the first UAE national to be nominated to the IDEA board of directors. IDEA is the information and networking hub for the district cooling and combined heat and power (CHP) industries worldwide. "I am honoured to be appointed to this highly respected position alongside some eminent figures in the industry," said Bin Shafar, the only candidate from a Middle East company to be nominated for a senior position. "With its searing temperatures and high usage of district cooling systems, the Middle East market can share its best practices and experiences with a much wider audience through its involvement with IDEA, the lynchpin of the entire industry worldwide." IDEA announced the new board members during its Annual Business Meeting on June 4th, at its Annual Awards Luncheon in Miami, Florida. Empower, which is a joint venture between DEWA and Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone, currently provides district cooling services at several prominent developments in Dubai, including Dubai International Finance Centre, Dubai Healthcare City, Business Bay Area, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Al Khail Gate and Ghuroob Mirdif.