An international delegation from Latin America and the Caribbean visited Lund, Sweden, on 20 October to study Swedish district cooling systems and their role in sustainable urban development. Coordinated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the visit was part of the Nordic-LAC District Cooling Innovation Exchange, funded by the EU through the Euroclima programme under the Global Gateway strategy.
In collaboration with Alfa Laval and Kraftringen, delegates explored Swedish approaches to energy-efficient cooling. The programme included a visit to Kraftringen’s district cooling facility at Lund University Hospital, which forms part of one of Sweden’s largest connected district cooling networks.
Cooling demand is increasing across Latin America and the Caribbean, driven by needs in healthcare, tourism, and economic activity, while placing additional pressure on electricity systems. District cooling offers an energy-efficient alternative in areas with concentrated demand, including hospitals and business districts.
“The need for cooling is increasing with urbanisation and rising temperatures. Sharing Swedish solutions, while learning from other countries, is highly valuable,” said Anna Hall, Head of Public Affairs, Energy Division, Alfa Laval.
The exchange forms part of the EU-funded District Cooling in Latin America and the Caribbean project, which aims to scale sustainable cooling solutions across the region.
