Tabreed, a global leader in district cooling solutions, in a significant step towards addressing India’s urban cooling challenges, successfully hosted the first of its series of Regional Workshops in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, today, titled, ‘Cooling India’s Cities’. The workshop saw a convergence of key stakeholders, government, and experts from the energy and cooling sectors, discussing strategies to integrate district cooling and energy solutions into Tamil Nadu’s urban planning.

The workshop was held as part of a Memorandum of Understanding signed between Tabreed India and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH’s ‘Energy Efficiency Cooling’ program, jointly implemented with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Ministry of Power. This partnership underscores a shared commitment to accelerating and democratizing district cooling solutions through bilateral exchange, capacity building, knowledge awareness, and project development activities.

Speakers included Sudheer Perla, Managing Director, Tabreed Asia and Country Manager of Tabreed India; Nitin Jain, Program Head – EE-Cool, Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH; Rahul Agnihotri, Advisor - Clean Cooling Solutions and Building Energy Efficiency, UNEP and Tamil Nadu District Cooling Steering Committee Member; and representatives from the State Planning Commission, DISCOMs, Developers, Consultants, Architects, etc.

Dr Vijaya Baskar, Member, State Planning Commission, provided insights on the state’s perspective and plans around sustainable cooling. Presentations by Tabreed India’s representatives highlighted potential case studies for District Cooling in Chennai and, more broadly, Tamil Nadu. While technological research will need to progress, greater focus should be put on enabling the commercial and large-scale viability of innovative solutions that integrate solar power, waste to energy plants, city gas distribution networks, and so on.

The event also featured a roundtable that facilitated a dynamic exchange of ideas on the practical implementation of district cooling technologies. Moderated by Sudheer Perla, Managing Director, Tabreed Asia and Nikhil Kulkarni from C40, the discussion pinpointed opportunities and addressed challenges, focusing on diverse sectoral perspectives to forge feasible solutions for the widespread adoption of sustainable cooling. “The lack of long-term thinking and a siloed approach across the  value chain are major challenges we face in the transition to innovative cooling solutions like District Cooling,” added Perla.

Reflecting on the day’s accomplishments, Perla continued, “Today’s workshop has not only highlighted the critical role of district cooling in meeting our urban cooling needs but also broader climate goals and targets set by the government. With the foundation for a collaborative action set, Tabreed is committed to driving the adoption of efficient, environmentally friendly cooling systems that align with Tamil Nadu’s sustainability objectives. We commend Tamil Nadu’s leadership in promoting District Cooling & Energy through a strong policy framework and showcase projects and pilots across Chennai.”

Against this backdrop, Agnihotri said, “If District Cooling is incorporated into greenfield projects, it will result in more Greenhouse Gas reductions and cost savings due to integrated resource planning and usage. The State Planning Commission (SPC), under the guidance of the Environment and Urban Development departments, is driving state efforts for district cooling. The SPC has prepared an action plan for large-scale adoption of District Cooling projects at the state level.”

Similarly, Jain stated, “This regional workshop will pave the way for the uptake of District Cooling projects in Tamil Nadu by bringing together important stakeholders involved in the field. With energy efficiency being one of the focus areas of cooperation with India, GIZ continues to support and promote District Cooling as an energy-efficient alternative to conventional cooling systems. It will help create an enabling ecosystem for the upscaling of sustainable cooling in the country.”

There is a need for a common shared vision for sustainable cooling to propel diverse stakeholder efforts in the right direction, instill public and civil society confidence, and propose feasible business models for wide adoption. The event marked a pivotal moment for stakeholders to align their efforts towards implementing district cooling solutions that promise significant environmental and economic benefits. A common shared vision for sustainable cooling acts as a catalyst for collective action, enhances public confidence, supports feasible business models, and maximizes environmental and economic benefits. It aligns diverse stakeholder efforts towards implementing district cooling solutions effectively, positioning them as integral components of future-proof urban infrastructure. This approach not only addresses current cooling challenges but also prepares cities for sustainable and resilient growth in the face of climate change.

For more information: www.tabreed.ae