Ahmed Aqel, general manager, Johnson Controls. (Image source: Johnson Controls)

As the Middle East and Africa (MEA) advances toward a more sustainable future, air conditioning stands at a critical crossroads.

With soaring urbanisation rates, extreme climatic conditions, and year-round cooling demands, HVAC systems are not just amenities — they are lifelines.

But they are also among the largest consumers of electricity and contributors to carbon emissions.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), most air-conditioning units currently in use are typically two to three times less efficient than top-performing models.

This can have profound implications for national energy strategies and climate goals, particularly in a region where space cooling accounts for up to 70% of residential electricity consumption.

The challenge is not hypothetical. The MEA region is projected to experience some of the fastest growth in cooling demand globally, driven by demographic expansion, urban sprawl and rising temperatures.

If the HVAC sector continues on its current trajectory — relying heavily on outdated, energy-hungry units — it could impact even the most ambitious net-zero roadmaps.

To pivot toward sustainability, two parallel transformations are important: new technology adoption and behavioural change.

First, the deployment of high-efficiency air-conditioning systems needs to be accelerated.

These units, designed to deliver the same cooling output using significantly less energy, are not only viable but increasingly accessible.

Their adoption can drastically reduce power demand during peak periods, cut carbon emissions, and lessen the burden on national grids already under strain.

Second, awareness and capacity-building across the built environment sector must keep pace. Engineers, developers, and facilities managers need more than equipment — they need knowledge and expertise.

Using data for efficiency 

Optimising HVAC performance requires understanding system integration, smart controls, passive cooling strategies, and proper maintenance practices.

Without this, even the most advanced unit can miss out on its efficiency potential.

This is particularly urgent in MEA countries implementing green building regulations or upgrading infrastructure.

Too often, HVAC is treated as a compliance checkbox rather than a central pillar of sustainability planning.

Yet the data is clear: without significant improvements in cooling efficiency, countries will struggle to meet national targets under the Paris Agreement or regional net-zero pledges.

Beyond energy metrics, the implications of efficient HVAC stretch into public health, productivity, and resilience.

In education and healthcare facilities, for instance, reliable and energy-efficient cooling can improve learning outcomes and patient recovery.

In industry, it can enhance operational stability and reduce lifecycle costs. For vulnerable populations, it can be a matter of safety during heatwaves.

The path forward requires cross-sector collaboration. Policymakers, developers, suppliers, and training institutions all have roles to play in mainstreaming efficient HVAC solutions.

This means aligning incentives, mandating performance standards, and investing in professional training programs that raise the bar across the board.

Ultimately, cooling in the MEA region is not optional — but how we cool is a choice.

Choosing top-performing HVAC systems is not just a technical upgrade; it's a strategic imperative for any nation or business serious about sustainability.

If net-zero is the destination, high-efficiency cooling is one of the most important vehicles to get us there.

This piece was written by Ahmed Aqel, general manager, Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning, MEA

3M Ceramic Sand Screens have saved PHM up to 50% cost over SCON solution. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Material science and technology provider, 3M, has released via Offshore Network a case study illustrating how an Indonesian oil and gas corporation Pertamina Hulu Mahakam (PHM) deployed Ceramic Sand Screen to cost effectively unlock marginal field assets 

While coiled tubing-deployed chemical sand consolidation (SCON) or slickline deployed through tubing metallic screens are the conventional approaches to sand control at PHM, they are limited by its operating envelope and technical constraints. There is a need identified to unlock production with a change in filter media material.

3M Ceramic Sand Screens have saved PHM up to 50% cost over SCON solution and delivered 200% higher productivity than through tubing metallic screen solution by integrating 3M advanced ceramic materials into a sand screen assembly.

Assets like in Tunu and Peciko, reservoirs are marginal and multi-layered sand series which are highly unconsolidated and poorly sorted sands with an average of 20 to 30% porosity. 3M Ceramic Sand Screen have been initially trialed in these conditions and enabled in optimising sand control completions.

Within a span of 4 years, more than 80 wells in various fields of PHM have been successfully replicated.

Download the case study to learn about:

*How 3M solution has impacted to unlock production from marginal assets

*How material change enables optimised and cost-effective sand control completions

*How 3M material science empowers and contributes to their energy customers to develop improved, safer and more sustainable solutions

Click here to learn more.

Linz Electric SpA has acquired a 60% stake in KWG. (Image source: Linz electric)

Linz Electric SpA has acquired a 60% stake in KW Generator GmbH (KWG), marking a significant milestone in their nearly two-decade-long partnership.

The move brings together two respected European manufacturers and blends Italian innovation with German engineering to address evolving global energy challenges.

The two companies offer highly complementary alternator product lines, and this strategic alliance results in one of the world’s most complete portfolios for power generation.

Their combined capabilities span a wide range of applications, from traditional generator sets to solutions supporting the energy transition, including mobile refrigeration, earthmoving machinery, and other equipment requiring continuous, reliable and flexible power.

New opportunities

With energy reliability and system resilience gaining renewed global importance, the strengthened partnership allows Linz Electric and KWG to pool expertise, resources and vision to deliver tangible solutions worldwide.

KWG brings advanced technologies and long-standing relationships with OEMs in sectors such as material handling, heavy-duty equipment, and extreme operating environments.

Linz Electric, part of the Pedrollo Group, contributes a well-established international distribution network and a direct presence in the US, opening up fresh opportunities and customer segments for KWG.

The acquisition reinforces Linz Electric’s position as a key player in a rapidly changing energy landscape, where innovation and strategic collaboration are central to long-term growth and competitiveness.

This partnership also strengthens the Pedrollo Group’s energy business. With annual revenues of US$540mn (€500mn), the group is increasingly recognised not only in water management and applied technologies but also as an influential force in the energy transition.

Giulio Pedrollo, CEO of the Pedrollo Group and founder of Linz Electric, said, "After years of collaboration, I am excited about the opportunities this transaction offers: the partnership between Linz Electric and KWG is a clear example of how international cooperation between companies that share values, vision and expertise can generate new opportunities for growth and development. Together, we are ready to face the great challenges of global energy transformation. We will continue to invest with determination in innovation, quality and customer service, while keeping our production roots firmly anchored in our home territories. For us, this project represents a concrete testimony to the value of European manufacturing excellence, capable of competing and innovating on an international scale."

Michael Werner, CEO and shareholder of KWG, added, "With Linz as our majority partner, we are confident in our ability to address the competitive landscape and capitalize on new growth opportunities. This partnership demonstrates our commitment to providing superior products and services to our customers."

Michael Kurz, technical director of KWG, said, "This collaboration with Linz is a strategic move that will allow us to leverage their extensive distribution network and technical know-how. Together, we can achieve greater innovation and offer even better service to our customers globally."

The company reported a drop in Scope 1 emissions. (Image source: Siemon)

The Siemon Company has announced a major step forward in its sustainability efforts, achieving a 52.5% absolute reduction in its combined Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions between 2021 and 2024.

This achievement highlights Siemon’s ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility and reinforces its long-term goal of operating more sustainably while ensuring consistent, reliable product delivery for its global customers.

The company reported a drop in Scope 1 emissions from 271 to 195 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent, and a significant reduction in Scope 2 emissions from 1,163 to 486 tonnes over the same period.

These improvements are the result of a comprehensive strategy that included extensive energy audits to identify and address inefficiencies, a shift toward renewable energy, especially solar power, and widespread upgrades to lighting and HVAC systems to enhance overall energy efficiency. Siemon also rolled out robust waste reduction and recycling initiatives and made targeted improvements to its manufacturing processes to support lower energy consumption and emissions.

These efforts form part of the company’s broader ESG strategy, which includes setting science-based targets and collaborating with supply chain partners on sustainable practices.

Looking ahead, Siemon plans to continue investing in advanced energy technologies and maintain its transparent reporting practices to ensure accountability and help customers meet their own climate goals.

“We are proud to announce this significant reduction in our GHG emissions as a critical step in our decarbonisation journey. Our commitment to innovative energy solutions and continuous improvement in operational efficiency is a testament to our proactive approach in addressing climate change. By investing in renewable energy, optimising processes, and engaging in comprehensive energy audits, we are setting new benchmarks for sustainability in our industry and building a more resilient and efficient supply chain to better serve our customers in the long run”, said John Siemon, chief technology officer and chief operations officer, Siemon.