Tabreed and Johnson Controls Partner to Advance Sustainable Cooling

Tabreed, the world’s leading district cooling company, and Johnson Controls, a global leader in smart and sustainable building technologies, have signed a framework agreement to accelerate the development and deployment of next-generation cooling solutions. The agreement aims to strengthen energy efficiency, reliability, and sustainability in district cooling, supporting both corporate ESG goals and regional climate strategies.

Focus on Next-Generation Cooling Technologies

Under the collaboration, the companies plan to deploy next-generation centrifugal chillers designed to improve system efficiency and reduce environmental impact. These chillers will be complemented by advanced performance analytics from Johnson Controls’ platforms, allowing real-time monitoring, optimisation, and reduced downtime. This integration of technology is expected to deliver measurable gains for Tabreed’s ongoing and upcoming long-term projects across the region.

Ceremony Marks Milestone Partnership

The agreement was formally signed during a special ceremony at Tabreed’s Abu Dhabi headquarters. Tabreed’s Chief Executive Officer, Khalid Al Marzooqi, and Johnson Controls’ Vice President and President EMEA, Richard Lek, represented their companies during the event. The signing marked the beginning of a collaboration focused on innovation, efficiency, and sustainable growth in urban cooling solutions.

Tabreed Highlights Strategic Growth

Following the ceremony, Khalid Al Marzooqi emphasized the importance of the partnership for Tabreed’s strategic plans. He said, “Our company has entered a new, exciting chapter of unprecedented growth, which aligns with our long-term strategy. We have multiple projects either in progress or planned for the near future, and this agreement helps both parties by securing supplies of essential equipment for large-scale infrastructure. By pairing Tabreed’s operational excellence with Johnson Controls’ advanced chiller technologies, we will bring tangible benefits to customers and communities alike through unrivalled energy efficiency and reliability.”

Johnson Controls Supports Urban Sustainability

Richard Lek, representing Johnson Controls, highlighted how the partnership would enhance district cooling performance at scale. He stated, “Collaboration with Tabreed allows us to demonstrate how proven technologies and data-driven services can raise the performance bar for district cooling. Together we’ll help better meet the demand for cooling in rapidly growing urban areas while reducing power consumption and emissions, and improving quality of life.”

Two Main Pillars of Collaboration

The partnership is structured around two main pillars. The first is advanced chiller technology, where Johnson Controls will provide a wide range of large-capacity chillers featuring variable-speed drives and modular systems. These chillers are engineered to reduce energy consumption, lower maintenance needs, and optimise space within Tabreed’s district cooling plants.

The second pillar is end-to-end lifecycle services, covering design and engineering support, commissioning and retro-commissioning, performance guarantees based on key performance indicators, upgrades and retrofits, and remote monitoring via network operations centres. These services aim to extend asset life and reduce total ownership costs while maintaining high performance standards.

Commitment to Sustainability

The framework agreement aligns with global sustainability objectives. It prioritizes energy-efficient and low-emission technologies, uses environmentally friendly refrigerants, and incorporates circular-economy and resource-efficiency principles. By linking improvements at plant level to broader decarbonisation goals, the collaboration supports policy efforts to reduce emissions and enhance resource efficiency across the region.

Expected Benefits for Customers and Communities

By combining Tabreed’s operational expertise with Johnson Controls’ advanced cooling technologies, the partnership is expected to deliver tangible benefits for both customers and communities. Improved energy efficiency, reduced carbon footprint, and reliable cooling services will support urban development while contributing to broader environmental and corporate sustainability targets.