District cooling has a lower energy footprint compared to conventional electrically powered air conditioning systems. Additionally, the value proposition of district cooling is space–saving for building areas, as it is decentralised, allowing customers to use, for example, basements or roof areas for purposes more valuable than large air conditioning systems. 

District cooling is not a newly established service. Since 2009, HOFOR has included it as one of its areas of responsibility. The cooling method is built on the same principle as the district heating system but with the opposite effect: delivering cold instead of heat. District cooling uses the seawater that surrounds the city, which, via a closed loop, sends seawater to cooling production plants, and then on to cooling customers. District cooling is used both for comfort cooling in e.g. commercial properties, banks, hotels and museums, as well as for cooling server rooms that require precise temperature control. 

HOFOR currently supplies over 100 megawatts of district cooling to major customers, serving approximately 3 million square meters. District cooling is now represented in several parts of Copenhagen, with future expansions planned as soon as 2025. This innovative solution not only meets the city’s cooling needs but also enhances urban development by creating space for green infrastructure and initiatives.