The Cooling-as-a-Service (CaaS) model is rapidly reshaping how industries and businesses approach refrigeration and cooling needs. Two standout pioneers in this space and members of the SET Alliance Steering Committee, Energy Partners and Kaer, continue to drive innovation and market growth, demonstrating the immense potential of CaaS to deliver sustainable and cost-effective solutions.
Energy Partners: Scaling Success Across Africa
Energy Partners Refrigeration, a leading provider of CaaS solutions in industrial and commercial sectors, has been at the forefront of this movement since 2016. Headquartered in South Africa, Energy Partners manages the design, installation, and operation of refrigeration assets, offering off-balance-sheet solutions to its customers. The company has built an impressive asset base exceeding USD 30 million and consistently delivers significant operational benefits to its clients.
Landmark Projects and Achievements
Energy Partners has a strong track record of successful projects, such as:
- Clover’s Queensburgh Dairy Factory: Enhancing cooling efficiency and sustainability for a major dairy producer
- Dr. Oetker: Supporting dairy product processing with reliable and natural refrigerant cooling solutions
- Sovereign Foods: Efficient refrigeration, steam and waste heat recovery for the expansion of a food processing plantÂ
This year, the company embarked on its largest project to date: a combined heating and cooling system for a pharmaceutical client in South Africa. This 20-year CaaS contract, valued at over €16 million, will deliver 20 MW of cooling and 8 MW of heating capacity. Construction began in October 2024, with completion scheduled for September 2025.
Strategic Growth
Energy Partners recently established a dedicated Asset Management division to oversee the performance of its Power, Steam, and Refrigeration investments. This move highlights the company’s commitment to leveraging data and AI-driven tools to enhance efficiency, scalability, and global partnerships within the energy servitisation space.
Kaer: Expanding the CaaS Movement Across Asia
Singapore-based Kaer has also emerged as a leader in the CaaS revolution. In 2024, the company expanded its footprint beyond Singapore to Malaysia, India, and Indonesia, bringing sustainable cooling solutions to a diverse range of customers.
2024 Portfolio highlights
- Wisma Atria, Singapore: Delivering state-of-the-art sustainable cooling to an iconic building on Orchard Road.
- Times Offset, Malaysia: Integrating CaaS into regional printing and publishing facilities.
- Inorbit Mall Vashi, India: Kaer Water plant to cool over 500,000 sq ft of luxury retail space, reducing carbon emissions by 2,000 metric tons annually.
- Menara Peninsula Hotel, Indonesia
Green Financing
Bank DBS Indonesia has partnered with PT Kaer Investments Indonesia (Kaer) to support its expansion in Indonesia through a green term loan facility. This collaboration marks Bank DBS Indonesia’s first sustainability-related deal in the SME segment, reflecting a commitment to promoting energy-efficient, low-carbon cooling solutions amid rising cooling demands due to climate change and urbanisation.Â
Join the Movement: The Servitisation for Energy Transition (SET) Alliance
Both Energy Partners and Kaer exemplify how CaaS can transform energy consumption and drive sustainability. Their continued success and growth highlights the growing demand for flexible, service-based models that minimise environmental impact while optimising operational efficiency.
As pioneers like Energy Partners and Kaer demonstrate, CaaS is more than a business model—it’s a critical pathway to achieving global sustainability goals. If you’re passionate about driving the transition to energy servitisation, join the SET Alliance to collaborate with industry leaders and shape the future of sustainable energy solutions.
