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July 2025 US$ PUBLICATION LICENSED BY IMPZ US$ PUBLICATION LICENSED BY IMPZ US$ PUBLICATION LICENSED BY IMPZ US$ PUBLICATION LICENSED BY IMPZ NEWS • Byrne in Top 100 global equipment rental companies • Hauser joins Epta Group Empower CEO, H.E. Ahmad Bin Shafar speaks on accomplishments, targets and the work ahead PERSPECTIVES Hajj 2025 and evaporative cooling Shakeel Ahmed Kayani, Windmason Arabia Company Healthcare Wall Systems Mohanad Abobakr, healthcare architect Q&A IEQ and fertility Dr Iyad Al-Attar, IAQ consultant POST-EVENT REPORT AHRI MENA hosts ‘Industry Talks’ Conference TABREED, CVC DIF TO ACQUIRE PAL COOLING EMPOWER BEGINS SUPPLYING DISTRICT COOLING TO PHASE 1 OF AL HABTOOR TOWERPRESENTS OFFICIAL PUBLICATION ccme.news/ccme-events 2 ND EDITION 11 TH EDITION 12 TH EDITION RIYADH, KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA VENUE UPDATE: NEW LOCATIONVOL. 20 NO. 7 JULY 2025 14 06 22 10 www.ccme.news 3 pageCOVER STORY PERSPECTIVES Hajj 2025 and evaporative cooling Shakeel Ahmed Kayani of Windmason Arabia Company says the strong performance of Indirect-Direct Evaporative Cooling systems during Hajj 2025 provided irrefutable evidence of their efficacy Healthcare Wall Systems Mohanad Abobakr, healthcare architect, says wall systems play as much a vital role as ventilation in preventing microbial cross- contamination and enhancing infection control Q&A IEQ and fertility Dr Iyad Al-Attar, IAQ and air filtration consultant, says that for those undergoing IVF, the purity of the air is emerging as a crucial factor in determining success POST-EVENT REPORT AHRI MENA hosts ‘Industry Talks’ Conference Event emphasises stakeholder unity, regulations, EPDs REGULARS 04 24 30 eDItor'S note Spotlighting Dubai’s updated contracting law Regional News Global News 18 ‘ACHIEVING A PLACE IN THE GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS SIGNIFICANTLY ENRICHES DISTRICT COOLING’ H.E. Ahmad Bin Shafar , the CEO of Empower, highlights key milestones achieved as a District Cooling utility, the impact of the IPO and the technological innovations that have broken down barriers for the advancement of District Cooling 10J UNE and July saw a succession of incredibly good news for Dubai’s real estate sector. The first was the announcement of an update to Dubai’s Contractor and Engineering Consultancy Rating System. Set to come into force in early 2026, it aims to usher in a more accurate and integrated framework for evaluating the performance of construction firms and engineering offices across the emirate. According to Dubai Municipality, it will include a wider range of performance indicators and assessment criteria, which will enable more precise evaluations of technical capacity, project execution quality, regulatory compliance and sustainability practices. Dubai Municipality said the updated rating system, which is expected to provide greater transparency to property developers and property owners, will assess contractors and consultants on the basis of such KPIs as financial solvency; the rate of emiratisation; participation in CSR initiatives; the timely delivery of projects; the adoption of innovative, tech-driven project designs and execution methods; and the integration of detailed feedback from property owners. The second was the introduction of the updated contracting law (Law No. 7), under which all contractors operating in Dubai have to be classified based on their expertise, qualifications and whether they have the resources to take on a project. Further, the law stipulates that any sub-contracts can be awarded only after prior approval. According to authorities, contractors have no option but to comply, for any failure to do so will attract penalties, including up to AED 100,000 for first-time violations and up to AED 200,000 for repeat violations within a single year, temporary suspension from carrying out any project activity, a downgrade to the contractor’s classification, and removal in full from the official contractors’ registry. The law signals a push towards value over cost. It will induce contractors to maintain technical competence and, overall, ensure a proper track record, which will be factors in awarding contracts, as opposed to facilitating contractors to win bids on the lowest quotes during the tender process. As Editor, I am pleased by the development, especially considering that Climate Control Middle East has always advocated for ethical practices in the buildings sector. The advocacy has been the fulcrum of "The Client, Consultant, Contractor Conference", which over the years has seen stakeholders raise the need for greater accountability and ethicality in construction practices towards achieving socio- economic and sustainable development goals in an orderly manner. Well done, Dubai! This is so much a step in the right direction. Jeremy McDonald Principal of Guth DeConzo Consulting Engineers, in New York, writes on IAQ and building tracing. He served as the technical consultant to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority in development of an IAQ guideline for Higher Education in NY: “Covid-19 Response Guide, State University of New York”. Dan Mizesko Managing Partner/President, US Chiller Services International, writes on issues relating to chilled water systems, including operation & maintenance. Nabil Shahin Managing Director, AHRI MENA, writes on HVACR- specific regulation issues. Dr Iyad Al-Attar IAQ and air filtration consultant, writes on specific science and technology issues relating to Indoor Air Quality, including airborne particles. Omnia Halawani Co-Founder & Co-CEO, GRFN Global, writes on MEP consultancy- related issues. Krishnan Unni Madathil Auditor, Bin Khadim, Radha & Co. Chartered Accountants, carrying out an analysis of the market, writes on business opportunities for the HVACR industry. Editor Surendar Balakrishnan surendar@cpi-industry.com Online & Social Media Nivedita Vijayan marketing@cpi-industry.com Editorial Assistant Arushi Menon features@cpi-industry.com Advertising Enquiries Frédéric Paillé +971 50 7147204 fred@cpi-industry.com Judy Wang Our representative in Asia (except India) +852 307 80 826 judywang2000@vip.126.com Deep Karani Our representative in North America +1 365 885-6849 deep.karani@cpimediagroup.com Design Head Ulysses Galgo uly@cpi-industry.com Webmaster Chris Lopez chris@cpi-industry.com Database/Subscriptions Manager Purwanti Srirejeki purwanti@cpi-industry.com Published by Founder, CPI Media Group Dominic De Sousa (1959-2015) Co-Founder & Commercial Director Frédéric Paillé fred@cpi-industry.com EMPANELLED COLUMNISTSCo-Founder & Editorial Director Surendar Balakrishnan surendar@cpi-industry.com Head Office PO Box 13700, Dubai, UAE Web: www.cpi-industry.com Printed by: Jaguar Printing Press L.L.C © Copyright 2025 CPI Industry. All rights reserved. While the publishers have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of all information in this magazine, they will not be held responsible for any errors therein. What Law No. 7 means for Dubai’s real estate sector Visit our website: climatecontrolme.com/digital Also available at Get the next issue of Climate Control Middle Eastearly! Surendar Balakrishnan Editor @BSurendar_HVACR July 2025 4SOUGATA NANDI OBITUARY I T IS with immense sadness that I write of the passing away of Sougata Nandi, the Founder & CEO of 3e Advisory; Author of the book, Energy Management in Real Estate: The Secrets to Success and the Chairman of the Climate Control Awards till 2024. Sougata, an alumnus of the renowned IIT Kharagpur and IIT Bombay, lost his long battle with cancer and breathed his last on July 26 in Dubai. He was 55. I first met Sougata in 2002, when he was part of the Tricolour Initiatives in Dubai. This was before Climate Control Middle East was launched, in December 2005. The magazine helped us re-connect, and what a fruitful and longstanding engagement it was! I would often meet him at his TECOM Investments office, where he worked as Executive Director (Asset Management and Sustainable Development). His earnestness and energy were infectious, and his no-nonsense approach to sustainable development was like a breath of fresh air, at a time when greenwashing was rampant the world over. As an engineer and Green Building professional – he was the second LEED AP from the UAE – he embodied integrity and intellectual honesty; those qualities shone through in the several articles he wrote in Climate Control Middle East. There was no personal agenda to his writings – he wrote as an anguished observer, as someone who cared deeply for the environment and wanted to do his bit for the cause of energy efficiency and climate change mitigation. One such article was on the mindless approach to repurposing of buildings without a care for the consequences relating to energy efficiency and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). The words stay with me to this day. Perhaps one of his most significant contributions to the magazine and CPI Industry was as Chairperson of the Jury of the Climate Control Awards. A judge from the inaugural edition, in 2011, he took over as Chair from that other engineering champion, Ghaleb Abusaa, the CEO of en3 Solutions, and helped steer the ship in ensuring the Awards evaluation exercise was relevant, uncompromising and true to its purpose of identifying authentic outstanding efforts in the HVACR and allied sectors towards the twin causes of socio- economic development and sustainable development. In a long and distinguished career, he won several awards, including the Emirates Energy Awards, in 2007, but perhaps his greatest legacy will be his mentorship of young engineers, who he firmly set on the path to a rigorously scientific approach to sustainable development. Rest in peach, champion! You will be much missed. (Accompanying picture of Sougata Nandi is from a CPI Industry file photo from 2011, when he was at the prime of his career.) By Surendar Balakrishnan | Editor, Climate Control Middle EastPERSPECTIVE Extolling the benefits of Indirect-Direct Evaporative Cooling (IDEC) systems, Shakeel Ahmed Kayani of Windmason Arabia Company says their performance during Hajj 2025 provided irrefutable evidence of their efficacy E ACH YEAR, millions of Muslims gather in Makkah for Hajj, one of the world’s largest religious gatherings. However, rising temperatures are making this spiritual journey harsher. In June 2025, temperatures exceeded 2024). On June 16, 2024, over 2,764 cases of heat exhaustion were reported in a single day (Arab News, 2024). In response, the Saudi government made significant improvements for Hajj 2025. These included more than 10,000 Evaporative Cooling 50 degrees C, similar to Hajj 2024, which recorded a high of 51.8 degrees C. That year, more than 1,300 pilgrims died from heat-related causes, most of them unregistered and without access to cooling or shelter (Associated Press, July 2025 6new shaded trees, over 2,400 misting fans and the operation of the Grand Mosque’s 155,000-ton cooling system to maintain temperatures between 22 degrees C and 24 degrees C (Saudi Press Agency, 2025). As a result, a 90% reduction in heat-related illnesses was reported compared to the previous year (Financial Times, 2025). Even with centralised efforts, millions of pilgrims still required decentralised and mobile cooling solutions, especially in outdoor or semi-covered areas. Cooling outdoor zones with fog cannons For large, open areas exposed to direct sun, such as the paths to Jamarat, gathering zones in Arafat and Mina, high-pressure fog cannon systems played a vital role. The systems spray ultra-fine water droplets into the air, reaching up to 70 metres, quickly reducing ambient temperature by 10-12 degrees C (International Journal of Heat and Technology, 2021). Compared to small misting fans, fog cannons cover wider areas with stronger airflow, making them more effective for crowd cooling. The units are mobile, lend themselves to rapid deployment, and can be operated successfully alongside hydration stations and heat- reflective white roads. Fog cannons offer practical, low-energy solutions that significantly reduce heat stress in zones where traditional cooling is not possible. www.ccme.news 7Using IDEC units in tunnels and shaded walkways While fog cannons work well in open spaces, other areas, such as tunnels and covered walkways, need a different solution. Indirect-Direct Evaporative Cooling (IDEC) systems are the best solution for shaded and semi-enclosed zones. Hundred per cent fresh air, no hot exhaust Unlike regular air conditioners that re-use indoor air and blow hot air outside, IDEC systems work differently. They take in fresh air from outside, cooling it down from 50 degrees C to anywhere between 13 degrees C and 18 degrees C, using water-based evaporation; they, then, send the cooled air into space. After use, the air is released outside. This not only improves indoor comfort but also helps cool down nearby outdoor areas, reducing the “heat bubbles” often created by traditional air conditioning systems in crowded spaces. Energy efficiency and environmental impact Traditional air conditioning units recycle indoor air and release hot exhaust into the environment. IDEC systems, in contrast, are sustainable. They use no refrigerants and consume up to 85% less energy than conventional air conditioners (Ahmad et al., 2024). With global demand rising, the IDEC market was valued at USD 1.2 billion in 2024 and is growing fast, especially in hot and dry regions, like large parts of Saudi Arabia. IDEC systems support sustainability goals as well as the striving for lower operating costs. A sustainable model Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 aims to promote sustainability, energy efficiency and reduced carbon emissions. IDEC systems support these goals by offering low-energy and environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional cooling systems. In the future, heat risks will continue due to climate change and unexpected temperature spikes. Makkah’s average temperature is increasing at a rate of 0.4 degrees C per decade (Pal & Eltahir, 2016). According to the study, the carbon footprint per pilgrim during Hajj is about 60.5 kilograms of CO 2 equivalent per day, much of it linked to cooling systems (Al-Ghamdi et al., 2011). Integrating low-energy, low- CPI Industry accepts no liability for the views or opinions expressed in this article, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided here. The writer is Co-Founder, Windmason Arabia Company. He may be reached at shakeel@ windmason.com. emission technologies like IDEC and fog cannons will be essential to reducing environmental impact while maintaining comfort and safety. Conclusion Hajj 2025 demonstrated that innovative, scalable cooling solutions can make mass gatherings safer without compromising on sustainability. Evaporative solutions brought broad-area cooling in the open sun, while providing efficient, fresh-air cooling in shaded and enclosed locations. Together, these solutions can form a powerful model for outdoor climate control. They not only can address immediate heat challenges but also align with broader environmental goals. As climate risks continue to grow, these systems are poised to become essential for Hajj, Umrah and other outdoor events. PERSPECTIVE Evaporative Cooling July 2025 8www.refrigbuyersguide.com FOR ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES EMAIL: advertising@cpi-industry.com THE LARGEST DATABASE OF REFRIGERATION PRODUCTS & SUPPLIERS IN THE MIDDLE EAST Refrigeration BUYERS’ GUIDE 2026 Your reference hub to the refrigeration industry in the Middle East LOOKING FOR REFRIGERATION PRODUCTS? LAUNCHING ATNext >