155,000-ton cooling systems enhance climate and safety at the Two Holy Mosques

MAKKAH — The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque operates advanced, integrated technological systems across the Two Holy Mosques and their courtyards to ensure a safe and comfortable environment for worshippers around the clock.At the Grand Mosque in Makkah, one of the world’s largest cooling systems is in operation, with a total capacity of 155,000 tons of refrigeration.The system is supplied through the Al-Shamiyah plant, with a capacity of 120,000 tons, and the Ajyad plant, with 35,000 tons.Water is chilled to between 4°C and 5°C and pumped through an extensive distribution network to maintain indoor temperatures ranging from 22°C to 24°C.The system is monitored by 77 temperature sensors and supported by air purification units operating at up to 95% efficiency, particularly during peak crowd periods.According to the Saudi Press Agency, the cooling system covers approximately 1.5 million square meters, extending across prayer halls, courtyards and corridors. The Al-Shamiyah station is located about 900 meters from the Grand Mosque, while the Ajyad station sits roughly 500 meters away.Air is purified up to nine times daily using advanced filtration and ultraviolet technology that eliminates 95% of germs before distribution. Cooling units automatically adjust to fluctuations in external temperatures to maintain a stable indoor climate throughout the year.At the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, a central cooling plant located 7 kilometers away spans 70,000 square meters and houses six cooling units, each with a capacity of 3,400 tons, along with seven main pumps circulating chilled water at 4°C to 5°C.The system supplies 2,357 columns and supports approximately 550 air-conditioning units, ensuring consistent temperature control and air quality throughout the mosque.To facilitate worshipper movement, the Grand Mosque can accommodate more than 200,000 visitors per hour through 220 escalators and 29 elevators. The Prophet’s Mosque includes 180 escalators and 25 elevators, all maintained under approved safety standards through regular inspection programs.Lighting systems are equally extensive. The Grand Mosque features more than 120,000 lighting units and 6,900 chandeliers, while the Prophet’s Mosque is equipped with over 137,000 LED lighting units. A centralized control system regulates illumination levels according to prayer times and crowd density.Operations and maintenance are overseen through central control rooms that monitor performance in real time, utilizing advanced analytics to anticipate potential faults before they occur. Officials said these systems enhance operational efficiency, ensure service sustainability, and support a continuously prepared worship environment for visitors to the Two Holy Mosques.