The Two Holy Mosques Care Authority manages the largest cooling systems to serve pilgrims
Continuous development to serve the guests of God
The General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques continues its tireless efforts to enhance its operational and technological systems by employing the latest innovative global solutions. These efforts aim to provide a comfortable and safe environment for pilgrims within the Two Holy Mosques and their courtyards, accommodating the high population density expected during this year's Hajj season (1447 AH) and elevating the quality of the religious experience for pilgrims and Umrah performers.
The historical context of the Kingdom's care for the Two Holy Mosques
These technological advancements are a continuation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's historical efforts to care for the Two Holy Mosques since its founding. Over the decades, the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet's Mosque in Medina have undergone successive historical expansions aimed at accommodating the increasing numbers of Muslims arriving from all over the world. The infrastructure has been radically transformed, moving from traditional methods of ventilation and lighting to adopting the latest global engineering technologies, reflecting the wise leadership's commitment to providing the highest levels of comfort and safety. This commitment is now culminating in the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to enrich the experience of pilgrims and provide them with exceptional services.
The world's largest cooling systems
The Grand Mosque in Mecca is equipped with one of the world's largest cooling systems, boasting a total cooling capacity of 155,000 tons. This massive capacity is distributed between two plants: Al-Shamiyah, producing 120,000 tons, and Ajyad, producing 35,000 tons. This advanced system cools water to temperatures between 4 and 5 degrees Celsius before pumping it through an integrated network to air handling units in the mechanical rooms. There, heat exchange takes place, distributing the cooled, purified air throughout the Grand Mosque. To ensure efficiency, the air handling units have been upgraded and modernized, the heat exchangers replaced, and the air purification filters changed regularly to maintain stable temperatures between 22 and 24 degrees Celsius.
This complex process is managed by 77 precisely distributed thermal sensors that respond instantly to changes in human density, especially during peak times. The system also features advanced air purification systems with an efficiency of up to 95%, supported by ongoing preventative maintenance programs to ensure operational sustainability.
At the Prophet's Mosque, a central cooling plant, one of the largest in the world, is located 7 kilometers west of the mosque. The plant comprises six cooling units, each with a capacity of 3,400 tons, along with seven main pumps that circulate chilled water through an insulated pipe network. This system covers 2,357 columns and 550 air conditioning units, ensuring a balanced and efficient distribution of chilled air and increasing operational capacity during the Ramadan and Hajj seasons.
The local and international impact of crowd management
The importance of this technological advancement is evident at the local, regional, and international levels. Locally, these systems ensure the smooth and safe movement of millions of pilgrims. Internationally, the Kingdom presents a unique engineering and administrative model for managing massive crowds. Regarding facilitating movement, the Grand Mosque in Mecca relies on a sophisticated system comprising 224 escalators and 22 elevators, capable of serving more than 200,000 pilgrims per hour. The Prophet's Mosque in Medina also provides 180 escalators and 25 elevators, all of which are subject to meticulous operation and maintenance programs adhering to the highest safety standards.
Smart lighting and advanced sustainability
The lighting systems in the Two Holy Mosques have undergone significant development. The Grand Mosque in Mecca boasts over 120,000 lighting units and 6,900 chandeliers, while the Prophet's Mosque in Medina has more than 137,000 uniformly colored LED units. These systems are managed through a Building Management System (BMS), which allows for intelligent control of lighting intensity according to prayer times and occupancy levels.
The authority relies on central command and control rooms to monitor all systems in real time, including temperatures and power supply. Data analytics technologies are also used to predict malfunctions before they occur, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing energy and water consumption in line with environmental sustainability goals, thus ensuring comfort and safety throughout the Hajj season.
