Latin American and Caribbean delegation visits Lund to study Swedish district cooling

On 20 October, an international delegation coordinated by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) visited Lund, Sweden, to study how district cooling supports sustainable, growing cities. 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, representatives from across Latin America and the Caribbean learned from Swedish experience in energy-efficient cooling and urban development, visiting Alfa Laval and Kraftringen’s district cooling facility at Lund University Hospital — part of one of Sweden’s largest connected district cooling networks.

Cooling demand is rising across Latin America and the Caribbean, supporting health, tourism, and economic activity, while placing growing pressure on electricity systems. District cooling offers an energy-efficient alternative, particularly where demand is concentrated, such as 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,” says Anna Hall, Head of Public Affairs, Energy Division, Alfa Laval.

The visit forms part of the EU-funded District Cooling in Latin America and the Caribbean project, aimed at scaling sustainable cooling solutions across the region.