Press Release Overview

On 25 August 2026, Grundfos led a roundtable at the ISHRAE CoOL Conclave 3.0 in Coimbatore, India. The event brought together industry leaders, policymakers, urban planners, utilities, developers, academics, and sustainability experts under the theme “Accelerating Net Zero Cities of the Future: The Role of District Cooling in India.”

Core Message

The participants unanimously identified district cooling as a strategic enabler of energy security, sustainable urbanisation, and India’s net‑zero growth ambition (Viksit Bharat 2047). They argued that cooling must be treated as essential infrastructure rather than a mere building‑level technology, because it underpins economic productivity, public health, urban resilience, and long‑term energy security.

Drivers of Cooling Demand

India’s rapid urban growth, rising living standards, new city developments, and expanding industrial corridors are creating a steep upward trajectory in cooling demand. This surge places increasing pressure on the electricity grid, especially during evening and night‑time periods when solar generation is unavailable, thereby heightening peak‑load challenges.

Benefits of District Cooling

District cooling systems were highlighted for their ability to reduce peak electricity demand through load diversity, centralized operation, optimized equipment utilisation, and thermal‑energy storage. Case examples showed that well‑designed systems can markedly lower installed cooling capacity, cut electrical‑infrastructure requirements, reduce operating costs, lessen maintenance burdens, and extend equipment lifecycles.

Water‑Energy Integration

The roundtable stressed the opportunity to couple district cooling with treated wastewater and recycled water, alleviating freshwater stress while improving overall resource efficiency. Integrated planning of water, energy, and cooling infrastructure was deemed essential for sustainable urban environments.

Barriers to Adoption

While the technical and economic case is strong, adoption remains limited. The primary obstacles are no longer technological but relate to policy alignment, institutional coordination, awareness, and long‑term planning. District cooling currently lacks a clear public‑utility status and does not fit neatly within existing urban‑infrastructure regulatory frameworks.

Policy Recommendations

Participants called for several concrete actions:

  • Recognise district cooling as a public utility.
  • Embed district cooling feasibility assessments as a standard component of master‑plan development for greenfield cities, mixed‑use projects, industrial townships, campuses, and major infrastructure.
  • Provide rights‑of‑way for distribution networks.
  • Offer clear tariff structures and incentives to promote domestic manufacturing of district‑cooling equipment.
  • Support feasibility studies through government or multilateral funding.

Need for Data and Case Studies

The group highlighted a shortage of high‑quality Indian case studies that quantify energy savings, infrastructure optimisation, water benefits, operational performance, and long‑term economic value. Developing such evidence was deemed critical to inform policymakers, developers, consultants, investors, and end‑users.

Collaboration Imperative

Stakeholders agreed that no single organisation can drive the transition alone. Success requires coordinated action among national ministries, state governments, municipal authorities, utilities, developers, industry bodies, technology providers, academia, and international organisations. Platforms that facilitate ecosystem interaction, knowledge sharing, project development support, and evidence‑base building were recommended.

Quote from Grundfos Representative

Ronak Monga, Global Sales Development Director – District Energy, Grundfos, stated: “India’s cooling challenge is also one of India’s greatest opportunities. Throughout this discussion, what stood out was the strong alignment across stakeholders that cooling security must become a national priority. District cooling is not simply a cooling solution. It is a strategic infrastructure investment that can strengthen energy security, improve resource efficiency, support sustainable urban growth, and help India progress towards its Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. The solutions exist. What is needed now is greater collaboration, stronger planning, and collective action to move from isolated projects to large‑scale implementation.”

About Grundfos India

Grundfos Pumps India Pvt. Ltd. is a 100 % subsidiary of Grundfos Denmark, a global leader in advanced pump solutions and water‑technology innovation. The company manufactures more than 16 million pump units annually, including circulator pumps for heating and air‑conditioning and a range of centrifugal pumps for industry, water supply, sewage, and dosing. Grundfos India contributes to global sustainability by pioneering technologies that improve quality of life and protect the planet.