AN ITP MEDIA GROUP PUBLICATION FEBRUARY 2025 • VOL. 20, ISSUE 02 MEP_Feb2025_00_Cover_13499162.indd 129/01/2025 17:51Connect Connect With Us!With Us! AHRI is the leading international advocate for HVACR and water heating equipment manufacturers. We promote energy efficiency and environmental sustainability through the adoption of our world-renowned standards and certification programs. AHRI leverages expert teams across five continents to strengthen the fabric of our industry. Trust us to provide turnkey solutions that make life better for all. Learn more at www.ahrinet.org AHRIconnect AHRIcommunications @AHRIConnect AHRI VISIT AHRI AT BOOTH #1A84 Untitled-10 129/01/2025 13:50EDITOR’S LETTER www.mepmiddleeast.comFebruary 2025 | MEP Middle East 3 www.mepmiddleeast.com THE HVAC ISSUE It’s been a whirlwind few weeks here at MEP Middle East, as the team poured every ounce of energy (and a little caff eine) into one of our most anticipated lists of the year—the HVAC Power 30. Distilling the region’s most infl uential players in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning into a defi nitive list of 30 is no small task. But after countless interviews, surveys, and debates, we’ve done it. The result? A showcase of companies making bold strides in the sector. Turn to p24 for the list. Speaking of bold strides, let’s talk about this month’s cover story, starting on p18. Summer temperatures in the GCC can soar to an unforgiving 50 degrees, making the battle to stay cool as much a cultural constant as it is a technical challenge. Behind that comforting blast of cold air lies a growing concern: the environmental toll. HVAC expert Nabil Shahin, MD of AHRI, breaks down the region’s evolving regulatory framework and its impact on the future of cooling. He also sheds light on the delicate balancing act between keeping cool and staying green. Don’t miss the detailed report on p56 from our roundtable discussion with HVAC experts, where we tackled crucial topics such as decarbonising buildings and advancing innovation in the sector. Beyond cooling, this issue takes you into the future of digital transformation. On p44, Nicolas Mangon from Autodesk explains how outcome-based BIM is revolutionising design and construction processes in ways we couldn’t have imagined just a decade ago. This edition isn’t just about big players and bold ideas; it’s also about personal journeys. On p16, Scott McKeever, Cundall’s Country Director – UAE, shares career lessons that are as inspiring as they are instructive. And for a refreshing change of pace, turn to p14 for our feature on Oman’s Sustainable City–Yiti, a project proving that green ambition and practical design can thrive even in the most challenging climates. Whether you’re here for the insights or to see if your company made the power list, we hope you fi nd this issue both engaging and inspiring. Stay cool! SEVEN THINGS I LEARNED Words of wisdom from industry veteran Scott McKeever, drawn from 20 years of experience and leadership PAGE 16 HVAC POWER 30 Presenting the dominant forces driving the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning sector in the Middle East PAGE 24 COMPLIANCE UNCOVERED Nabil Shahin, MD of AHRI, discusses evolving HVAC regulations and business strategies for a sustainable future PAGE 18 ROUNDTABLE Experts discuss the role of HVAC in the UAE’s sustainability push, focussing on decarbonisation and innovation PAGE 56 MUST READ IN THIS ISSUE Almas Tholot Editor, MEP Middle East almas.tholotr@itp.com MEP_Feb2025_3_Editor Letter_13495421.indd 330/01/2025 17:43www.mepmiddleeast.com 4 MEP Middle East | February 2025www.mepmiddleeast.com 14 14 FIVE THINGS TO KNOW Here are fi ve things to know about The Sustainable City – Yiti in Oman, a smart city designed to run entirely on renewable energy, setting new standards for sustainable urban living 16 SEVEN THINGS I LEARNED Industry veteran Scott McKeever refl ects on 20 years in the business, sharing seven invaluable lessons from his extensive experience and leadership in the industry 18 IN FOCUS Nabil Shahin, Managing Director of the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute, sheds light on the evolving HVAC regulatory framework and its profound impact on the future of cooling in the GCC 24 HVAC POWER 30 Presenting the dominant forces driving the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning sector in the Middle East 18 MEP_Feb2025_4-5_Contents_13495422.indd 430/01/2025 17:44www.mepmiddleeast.comFebruary 2025 | MEP Middle East 5 www.mepmiddleeast.com 53 56 48 44 48 44 53 56 OPINION The energy sector is at a critical juncture, balancing rapid demand growth with sustainability and innovation. Here’s the path forward BIM Nicolas Mangon, VP of AECO Industry Strategy at Autodesk, discusses how outcome-based BIM is driving the next wave of digital transformation in the industry NEWS Masdar announces the preferred suppliers and contractors for the world’s fi rst 24/7 gigascale renewable energy project ROUNDTABLE HVAC experts discuss practical strategies for decarbonising buildings, harmonising regulatory frameworks, and advancing innovation as we work towards the UAE’s ambitious net-zero goals WATCH NOW LISTEN NOW VIDEOS PODCAST MEP_Feb2025_4-5_Contents_13495422.indd 530/01/2025 17:44www.mepmiddleeast.comwww.mepmiddleeast.com 6 MEP Middle East | February 2025 6 MEP Middle East | February 2025 PO Box 500024, Dubai, UAE Tel: +971 4 444 3000 Web: www.itp.com Offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, London, Mumbai, Riyadh & Geneva ITP MEDIA GROUP CEO: Ali Akawi Managing Director: Martin Chambers Head of Business and Technology: Thomas Shambler EDITORIAL Editor: Almas Tholot Tel: +971 4 444 3845 E-mail: almas.tholotr@itp.com Commercial Editor: Angitha Pradeep Tel: +971 4 444 3278 E-mail: angitha.pradeep@itp.com ART ART DIRECTOR: Amjad Ayche ART EDITOR: Tofiq Memon ADVERTISING Group Commercial Director: Anup Nagpurkar Tel: +971 4 444 3573 E-mail: anup.nagpurkar@itp.com Senior Commercial Manager: Oliver Osea Tel: +971 4 444 3129 E-mail: oliver.osea@itp.com PHOTOGRAPHY Senior Video Editor: Liju Cheruvathur MARKETING Head of Events: Eleanor Ashton E-mail: eleanor.ashton@itp.com Events & Marketing Manager: Kate Galaktionova Associate Events Manager: Vrinali Nazareth Associate Events Manager: Maria Trishina Event Sales Executive: Jan Mokoala Events Administrative Assistant: Aronn Pureza Events Administrative Assistant: Bobbie Rosario Events Sales Assistant: Joyce Salonga E-mail: events@itp.com PRODUCTION Production Manager: Balasubramanian P DISTRIBUTION Circulation Executive: Rajesh Pillai Distribution Coordinator: Avinash Pereira ITP GROUP CEO Ali Akawi CFO Toby Jay Spencer-Davies The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for error or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. 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Connect with us today. @MEP Middle East (ITP) @mepmiddleeast3014 @mepmiddleeast @MEP_Middle_East Strategy Series Roundtable: Decarbonising the HVAC industry in the Middle East Dar Global marks 2024 as a milestone year with ten projects across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Oman, and Spain, while planning US expansion in 2025 Dr Hassam Chaudhry discusses modernising curricula, prioritising upskilling, and raising awareness to address the green skills gap in the MEP industry Arada Living announces the launch of Safa, a high-end residential community within the Aljada megaproject in Sharjah MOST POPULAR ON TWITTER MOST POPULAR LINKEDIN POST CATCH UP ON YOUTUBE TRENDING ON INSTAGRAM MEP_Feb2025_8_Noteworthy_13509363.indd 830/01/2025 17:47A TREASURE OF KNOWLEDGE AND INDUSTRY INSIGHTS AWAITS UH OH, THE REST IS ONLY FOR SUBSCRIBERS SCAN BELOW TO JOIN THE EXCLUSIVE COMMUNITY MEPME2024_HouseAD_MobileDesign.indd 103/09/2024 11:32Next >