Abu Dhabi sees AED 560 million opportunity in smarter cooling

Abu Dhabi’s Department of Energy has launched the Abu Dhabi Cooling Load Manual (CLM), introducing new technical guidance to improve air conditioning system design and support the emirate’s Energy and Water Efficiency Strategy 2030.

According to the Department, air conditioning accounts for around 60% to 70% of electricity consumption in UAE buildings, while many systems are oversized by 25% to 35%.

More accurate sizing could reduce air conditioning installation costs by up to 35%, translating into annual savings of around AED560 million ($152.4 million) across new buildings in Abu Dhabi.

For a typical residential villa, the Department estimates that the guidance could lower air conditioning equipment costs by up to AED56,000 ($15,200), while also reducing electricity connection fees and cutting annual power bills by up to 25%.

The manual provides data-driven guidance for calculating cooling loads and selecting appropriately sized equipment, thereby improving design accuracy and reducing overdesign. It is primarily intended for new developments but can also be applied to retrofit projects and assessments of existing systems.

According to the Department, the guidance is designed to reduce equipment and infrastructure costs, lower electricity consumption and operating expenses, enhance occupant comfort, and extend the lifespan of cooling systems.

The manual aligns with Abu Dhabi’s building codes and international standards, including ASHRAE and CIBSE, while offering recommendations to address common causes of oversized systems, such as excessive safety margins and unrealistic design assumptions.

It also highlights the importance of passive design strategies, including building orientation, external shading, effective zoning, and accurate assessments of heat gains, when incorporated early in project planning, in reducing cooling demand.

Eng. Ahmed Mohammed Al Rumaithi, Undersecretary of the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, said the initiative forms part of the department’s broader efforts to improve resource efficiency and strengthen the emirate’s regulatory and technical frameworks for sustainable energy.

He said the manual would help stakeholders adopt more efficient practices across the construction and urban development sectors, supporting better energy demand management, resource optimization, and long-term sustainability.

To support implementation, the Department has also introduced a Cooling Load Verification Tool (CLVT), enabling developers, consultants, and government entities to benchmark their cooling calculations against the manual, identify potential overdesign, and estimate cost and energy savings.

According to Al Rumaithi, the initiative strengthens the integration of urban planning and energy efficiency while enhancing infrastructure readiness to meet future demand.

He added that the manual supports the Abu Dhabi Energy and Water Efficiency Strategy 2030, contributes to the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, and aligns with the emirate’s broader climate agenda.

The Department said the launch reflects its ongoing efforts to develop regulatory and technical frameworks that promote energy efficiency, responsible resource management, and more sustainable urban development across Abu Dhabi.

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