Grundfos-led roundtable at ISHRAE CoOL Conclave 3.0 identifies district cooling as a strategic enabler of energy security, sustainable urbanization, and net-zero growth COIMBATORE, India, Aug. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As India experiences unprecedented urban growth, rising temperatures, and increasing demand for cooling, industry leaders, policymakers, urban planners, utilities, developers, academics, and sustainability experts convened at ISHRAE CoOL Conclave 3.0 in Coimbatore to discuss one critical question: how can India secure its cooling future while continuing its path towards sustainable growth and Viksit Bharat 2047? The answer that emerged repeatedly throughout the discussion was clear: district cooling must play a significantly larger role in India's future urban infrastructure strategy. The roundtable, hosted and moderated by Grundfos, brought together stakeholders from across the cooling ecosystem under the theme 'Accelerating Net Zero Cities of the Future: The Role of District Cooling in India'. Participants agreed that cooling can no longer be viewed simply as a building-level technology choice. It must be recognized as essential infrastructure that underpins economic productivity, public health, urban resilience, and long-term energy security. India's cooling demand is growing rapidly, driven by economic development, urbanisation, increasing living standards, and the expansion of new cities and industrial corridors. Participants noted that cooling demand is expected to continue rising for decades, creating significant pressure on electricity infrastructure and peak power requirements. While India has made remarkable progress in expanding renewable energy capacity, particularly solar power, the discussion highlighted the growing challenge of meeting cooling demand during evening and nighttime periods when solar generation is unavailable. A recurring theme throughout the roundtable was that energy security and cooling security are becoming inseparable national priorities. Participants emphasized that securing reliable, affordable, and sustainable cooling for homes, businesses, campuses, hospitals, commercial developments, and future cities will be essential to sustaining India's growth ambitions. The conversation