In the presence of H.E. Major General (Staff) Mohammed Misfer Al Shahwani, Deputy Commander, the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) received the Diamond Rating Certificate awarded to the District Cooling Plant at Lekhwiya Camp in Al Duhail by the Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (GORD).

During the ceremony, held at the Officers Club at Al Duhail Camp, Dr. Yousef Mohammed Alhorr, Chairman of the Gulf Organisation for Research & Development, presented the certificate to Major Engineer Mohammed Yousef Al Qattan, Director of the Buildings Affairs Department.

The plant earned this high-level rating following a comprehensive evaluation and auditing process that assessed its outstanding sustainability and operational efficiency performance over more than 8,500 operating hours, during which it recorded the highest environmental performance among certified projects under the specialized Arcadia Energy Center Efficiency Certification.

Commenting on the achievement, Major Engineer Mohammed Yousef Al Qattan said: “Our commitment to adopting best environmental practices is a key pillar in our journey towards sustainable operational excellence and the realization of our long-term vision. From Lekhwiya Camp in Al Duhail receiving the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) Design & Build 4-Star certification, as the first project of its kind in Qatar under the Sustainable Neighborhoods category, to achieving the Diamond rating under the Arcadia Energy Center Efficiency Certification, Lekhwiya continues to reinforce its position as a leading national model in adopting sustainable infrastructure practices.”

Dr. Yousef Alhorr said: “In a region marked by high cooling demand, rapid urban growth, and an increasing need to optimize energy consumption, improving the efficiency of energy-intensive infrastructure, particularly district cooling plants, stands out as one of the practical pathways to achieving tangible progress in climate action. Lekhwiya’s achievement confirms that deploying the right technologies, combined with operational excellence, can contribute to significantly reducing energy consumption without compromising performance reliability or efficiency. It also affirms that the transition towards a more efficient and sustainable energy system is achievable across different sectors, including sectors with sensitive operational requirements such as the security sector.”

The Arcadia Energy Center Efficiency Certification is a specialized standard for assessing energy performance efficiency in district cooling plants and on-site chilled water systems. It focuses on electricity savings and the enhancement of sustainable operational practices. The Diamond rating achieved by the District Cooling Plant at Lekhwiya Camp reflects an exceptional level of operational efficiency and the highest levels of energy-use optimization within the scope of the assessment.

The certification was awarded following a comprehensive technical audit and a data collection process covering more than 8,500 operating hours. To determine the plant’s Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER), GORD used Arcadia Suite, an advanced simulation software that relies on sophisticated algorithms to analyze cooling performance and issue an Energy Efficiency Label, providing a unified benchmark for comparing facility efficiency. The software also helps operation teams accurately identify opportunities to reduce energy consumption based on data and technical analysis, contributing to saving time and resources and improving performance efficiency.

A range of technical factors contributed to Lekhwiya’s advanced rating. The plant achieved an exceptional efficiency level of 0.71 kW per refrigeration ton, making it the most efficient among audited facilities. All major components, including chillers, primary and secondary pumps, and cooling towers, are equipped with variable speed control systems, enabling energy consumption to be adjusted according to actual demand. The pump motors also comply with the high-efficiency IE4 standard. The plant has a total capacity of 40,000 refrigeration tons and includes a thermal energy storage system, enhancing operational efficiency and performance flexibility.