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Bin Shafar succeeded in transforming Empower into world's largest district cooling services provider in less than 11 years
Dubai, UAE, H.E Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO of Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower), won the CEO of the Year - Energy in the CEO Middle East Awards 2015, organised by CEO Middle East Magazine, published by ITP Publishing Group.
The award was in recognition ofthe role played by Bin Shafar in strengthening and expanding Empower and his contributions to the District Cooling sector in the Middle East, as well as his significant achievements in transforming Empower into a global player.
Bin Shafar received the award on Tuesday, 15 September 2015 at the InterContinental Hotel in Dubai Festival City. The event was attended by a galaxy of decision-makers from the public and private sectors from around the Middle East.
The award also included CEO of the Year in Energy, Aviation, BPO and Technology, Telecoms, Banking, Financial Services, Project Construction, Hospitality & Tourism, and Retail, as well as Businesswoman of the Year, Young CEO of the Year, Humanitarian of the Year, Visionary of the Year, Islamic Banking, and Lifetime Achievement Award.
"It is a great honour to be selected as CEO of the Year - Energy. I attribute this honour to the inspiring vision of Government of Dubai, led by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, in the fields of energy and sustainability. This award will be another motive for further innovation in District Cooling, and propel Empower to new heights of success. I dedicate this achievement to the Empower's team that works tirelessly to achieve the vision of the company locally, regionally, and globally," said Bin Shafar.
Ahmad Bin Shafar, who is a California State University graduate with over 19 years of experience in senior management positions, firmly believes that leaders in the energy field have to "ensure that we build cities that are friendly to the environment".
Bin Shafar succeeded in transforming Empower into the world's largest district cooling services provider, turning the company from a startup (with 3 employees) into a company that commands a market share of more than 70 percent. Under his direction, Empower is supporting global initiatives related to organisations such as the United Nations and holding MoUs with leading companies in the energy fields. Moreover, Bin Shafar was the brain behind one of the largest acquisition in the district cooling industry, by acquiring Palm Utilities, including its district cooling service entity Palm District Cooling (PDC), from Istithmar World.
Bin Shafar was granted membership to the board of directors of the US-based International District Energy Association (IDEA), the world's oldest and most authentic body on district energy industry. Under his direction, Empower teamed up with the United Nations in the UN Climate Summit held in New York. Empower has received a series of awards under Bin Shafar's supervision.
Through his vision, Empower has moved to innovative solutions such as use of Treated Sewage Effluent (TSE) which offers many economic and environmental benefits. Bin Shafar relentlessly promoted the concept of District Cooling to large Master developers and building owners. He enhanced credibility of the industry among banks, financial and other institutions.
Empower operates more than 1 Million Refrigeration Tons (RT), providing environmentally friendly district cooling services to large-scale real estate developments, such as Jumeirah Group, Business Bay, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai International Financial Centre, Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Ibn Battuta Mall, Discovery Gardens, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai World Trade Centre Residences and Dubai Design District, amongst others.
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© Press Release 2015
