Qatar District Cooling Company (Qatar Cool) contributed to the 107th Annual Conference and Trade Show 2016, which was hosted in Minnesota, US recently by the International District Energy Association (IDEA).
During the three-day conference, Qatar Cool chief executive officer Yasser al-Jaidah joined several industry leaders in the global industry panel discussion, which deliberated the pace of change in the energy/utility sector in relation to regulatory reform, innovative technology in the industry and how the industry can accelerate development of district energy in dense urban areas.  
Qatar Cool was also announced the winner of the “2015 Space Award for the total area committed” and the “2015 Space Award for the total number of buildings committed” during the trade show. The new awards recognise the growth witnessed in the number of buildings and total area connected to district cooling in the districts served. Qatar Cool currently owns and operates two plants in the West Bay district and is currently building a third one to meet the growing demand, while The Pearl-Qatar district is home to the largest district cooling plant in the world, also owned and operated by Qatar Cool, according to a statement.
Al-Jaidah expressed delight at the accomplishment, saying: “We are proud that we put the name of Qatar in this international district energy forum. To win another two significant awards from IDEA and be recognised among our industry peers is a great tribute to our dedication to excellence in the industry. We are confident that our new plant, once operational, will take Qatar Cool and the district cooling industry in Qatar to new heights.”  
IDEA is a nonprofit trade association founded in 1909 to facilitate the exchange of information among district energy professionals. Today, IDEA has over 2,000 members in 25 nations and is governed by an all-volunteer board of directors.
Qatar Cool has been an active member of the association since 2003 and won multiple international awards, including the Best District Cooling System in the World award for both districts served in 2012 and 2014.