District Cooling Global Market Report 2025

A district cooling system (DCS) refers to a system that distributes cooling capacity in the form of chilled water or another medium from a central source to many buildings via a network of subterranean pipes used to provide chilled water for indoor cooling purposes for industrial, commercial, and residential buildings.

The main types of district cooling are free cooling, absorption cooling, electric chillers, and others. Free district cooling is used to ensure that the cooling supply is secure. The system is frequently supplemented by a heat pump or an electric chiller. The functions involved stationary cooling and transport cooling. The various applications include commercial, residential, and industrial.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The sharp rise in U.S. tariffs and the resulting trade tensions in spring 2025 are having a notable impact on the services sector, particularly in business services, IT, and professional consulting. The increased costs of imported technology, office equipment, and critical digital infrastructure are driving up operating expenses for service providers, compelling them to either pass these costs on to clients or absorb the financial strain themselves. Outsourcing firms and IT service providers are grappling with higher hardware costs and supply chain delays, which are disrupting project timelines and squeezing profitability. Furthermore, retaliatory tariffs have weakened demand for U.S.-based professional services in key global markets, slowing export-driven revenues. To navigate these challenges, the sector must focus on accelerating digital transformation, optimizing costs, and strengthening domestic client relationships to sustain growth and remain competitive in an increasingly uncertain trade environment.

The district cooling market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides district cooling market statistics, including district cooling industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a district cooling market share, detailed district cooling market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the district cooling industry. This district cooling market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The district cooling market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $17.98 billion in 2024 to $19.83 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.3%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increased demand for cooling systems in regions with high temperature, growing urbanization, rising disposable income, development of large-scale residential and commercial structures, increasing demand for energy-efficient cooling solutions.

The district cooling market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $30.73 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing need for efficient cooling systems, rapid construction activities, surging investments by developing nations for infrastructure development, increasing global population and urbanization, growing emphasis on sustainability. Major trends in the forecast period include use of advanced data analytics for optimizing cooling system efficiency, emergence of district cooling as a service (dcaas) models, adoption of smart grid technologies in district cooling networks, growing adoption of innovative technologies, increasing focus on cold energy recovery and utilization in district cooling.

The forecast of 11.6% growth over the next five years reflects a modest reduction of 0.5% from the previous estimate for this market. This reduction is primarily due to the impact of tariffs between the US and other countries. The U.S. may see higher capital investment needs as tariffs on chillers, insulated pipelines, and thermal storage components from China and Germany increase the setup costs of centralized cooling networks. The effect will also be felt more widely due to reciprocal tariffs and the negative effect on the global economy and trade due to increased trade tensions and restrictions.

The rising focus on the adoption of sustainable energy is expected to propel the growth of the district cooling market. Sustainable energy refers to a type of energy that cannot be depleted and can remain viable forever, it does not need to be renewed or replenished. Sustainable district cooling provides sustainable cooling and improves the local environment by reducing noise and increasing the security of the energy supply. For instance, in June 2023, according to the International Energy Agency, a France-based intergovernmental organization, global renewable capacity additions are set to soar by 107 gigawatts (GW)-the largest absolute increase ever-to more than 440 GW. Therefore, the rising focus on the adoption of sustainable energy is driving the growth of the district cooling market.

The increase in urbanization is expected to propel the growth of the district cooling market. Urbanization is the ongoing process of cities' growth and expansion, typically involving the movement of people from rural to urban areas. Urbanization drives the demand for district cooling systems, as densely populated urban areas require efficient cooling solutions to combat heat and energy demands, reducing the environmental impact and enhancing the sustainability of urban development. For instance, in April 2022, according to the World Economic Forum, a Switzerland-based independent international organization, more than 4. 3 billion people, or 55% of the global population, resided in urban environments, with projections indicating this figure is set to reach 80% by 2050. Therefore, increasing urbanization is driving the district cooling market.

Technological innovations are the key trend gaining popularity in the district cooling systems market. Major companies operating in the district cooling sector are focused on introducing technological innovations to reinforce their position. For instance, in February 2022, Honeywell, a US-based performance materials and technology company, launched Solstice E-Cooling, a ground-breaking platform of liquid heat transfer agents that efficiently and effectively cool high-performance electronics in comparison to conventional techniques that use air and water. The innovative cooling technology for electronics and data centers uses a two-phase liquid cooling technology to cool electrical applications while minimizing the impact on the environment. Solstice E-Cooling provides for more uniform and energy-efficient cooling, better heat rejection, and less pumping power.

Major companies operating in the district cooling market are increasing their focus on introducing campaigns to gain a competitive edge in the market. A Sustainability Initiatives campaign is a coordinated effort aimed at promoting and implementing practices, policies, and actions that prioritize environmental and social responsibility to ensure the long-term well-being of the planet and its inhabitants. For instance, in June 2022, Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower), a UAE-based company, launched Set & Save 24°C, its annual summer campaign to reduce district cooling energy consumption. The campaign aims to encourage customers to rationalize their district cooling consumption by setting the air conditioner thermostat at 24°C, which will reduce consumption bills, protect the environment, save energy, and preserve resources for a green future.

In July 2024, Panasonic, a Japan-based electronics company, acquired Area Cooling Solutions for an undisclosed amount. This strategic acquisition aims to bolster Panasonic's presence in the European market, enhance its technological capabilities in environmentally friendly refrigeration, and meet the evolving regulatory demands related to sustainability. Area Cooling Solutions, a Poland-based company, specializes in providing a comprehensive range of products and services in the district cooling sector. This acquisition aligns with Panasonic's goals of expanding its offerings in eco-friendly solutions while tapping into the growing demand for sustainable refrigeration technologies.

Major companies operating in the district cooling market include Ramboll Group A/S, Fortum Corporation, Emirates District Cooling LLC, Engie SA, National Central Cooling Company PJSC, Veolia Environnement SA, Empower India Ltd., Qatar District Cooling Company, Keppel DHCS Pte Ltd., ADC Energy Systems LLC, Stellar Energy Systems Inc., Shinryo Corporation, Cetetherm AB, Logstor AS, Alfa Laval AB, Wien Energie Vertrieb GmbH & Co. KG, Danfoss Group, Marafeq Qatar, Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corp., DC PRO Engineering, Johnson Controls International plc, Siemens AG, Trane Technologies plc, Carrier Global Corporation, Hitachi Ltd., LG Electronics Inc., Daikin Industries Ltd., GEA Group AG

Middle East was the largest region in the district cooling market share in 2024. The regions covered in the district cooling market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa

The countries covered in the district cooling market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Canada, Spain.

The district cooling market consists of sales of single-effect absorption chillers, double-effect absorption chillers, and direct-fired absorption chillers. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

District Cooling Global Market Report 2025 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.

This report focuses on district cooling market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.

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Where is the largest and fastest growing market for district cooling ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The district cooling market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.

The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.

• The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market.
• The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
• The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include:

The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.

• Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
• The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth.
• The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
• The trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it emerges from the crisis and suggests how companies can grow as the market recovers.

Scope

• Markets Covered:1) By Production Technique: Free Cooling; Absorption Cooling; Electric Chillers; Other Production Techniques
• 2) By Function: Stationary Cooling; Transport Cooling
• 3) By Application: Commercial; Residential; Industrial
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Free Cooling: Natural Ventilation; Ice Storage
• 2) By Absorption Cooling: Water-Lithium Bromide Systems; Ammonia-Water Systems
• 3) By Electric Chillers: Air-Cooled Chillers; Water-Cooled Chillers
• 4) By Other Production Techniques: District Heating And Cooling Networks; Thermal Energy Storage Systems
• Companies Mentioned:Ramboll Group A/S; Fortum Corporation; Emirates District Cooling LLC; Engie SA; National Central Cooling Company PJSC; Veolia Environnement SA; Empower India Ltd.; Qatar District Cooling Company; Keppel DHCS Pte Ltd.; ADC Energy Systems LLC; Stellar Energy Systems Inc.; Shinryo Corporation; Cetetherm AB; Logstor AS; Alfa Laval AB; Wien Energie Vertrieb GmbH & Co. KG; Danfoss Group; Marafeq Qatar; Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corp.; DC PRO Engineering; Johnson Controls International plc; Siemens AG; Trane Technologies plc; Carrier Global Corporation; Hitachi Ltd.; LG Electronics Inc.; Daikin Industries Ltd.; GEA Group AG
• Countries: Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Canada; Italy; Spain
• Regions: Asia-Pacific; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
• Time Series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
• Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita,
• Data Segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
• Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
• Delivery Format: PDF, Word and Excel Data Dashboard.