Milano Cortina 2026: Sinelec powers the systems for the Arena Milano
06 February 2026Today the spotlight turns on the Milano–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, as the Arena Milano officially debuts as the venue for ice hockey competitions. With a total surface area of approximately 77,000 square metres spread over 8 levels, the Arena Milano is an architectural landmark capable of hosting up to 16,000 spectators. The structure is set within a square of over 10,000 square metres, creating a new multifunctional hub for Milan, designed to host sporting and entertainment events, both indoors and outdoors.
The technological core of the infrastructure features the expertise of Sinelec, the lead company of an MEP joint venture together with Elettromeccanica Galli and Gianni Benvenuto, which delivered the entire system of mechanical, electrical and special installations serving the project.
To ensure the operation of such a complex machine, in just 14 months and with the involvement of up to 350 people, integrated systems were implemented to guarantee comfort and safety in all conditions, designed to ensure maximum resilience. Thanks to dedicated substations and powerful continuity systems, the Arena’s electrical installations can operate without interruption even in emergency situations, protecting escape routes and critical loads. Lighting also plays a key role, with high-efficiency LED solutions designed to enhance athletic performance and meet international broadcast standards.
Special attention was placed on climate control and, in particular, on the cooling system. As a venue dedicated to ice hockey, precision in temperature control is essential to ensure the quality of the playing surface. The system can manage maximum cooling loads of 7.5 MW, supported by over 40 air handling units that operate continuously to maintain ideal conditions in the Bowl and hospitality areas, while optimizing energy consumption through heat recovery systems.
Completing this technological ecosystem is a complex network of low current systems: from fibre-optic connectivity to audio-video and security systems, all supervised by centralized platforms for coordinated management of the entire building.
Main MEP data
- Installed cooling capacity (concert event): ≈ 7.5 MW
- Operating cooling capacity (with simultaneity): ≈ 6 MW
- Installed heating capacity: ≈ 3.7 MW
- Air Handling Units: 42 AHUs
- AHU heat recovery efficiency: > 50%
- Electrical supply: Medium Voltage with MV ring
- Installed electrical power: 10 MVA
- Transformer substations: 6 MV/LV substations and dedicated intake for the Arena and parking areas
- Electrical continuity: generator sets (no. 2 × 2000 kVA) + UPS systems (no. 2 × 500 kVA plus additional smaller units) + CPSS (total 100 kVA)
- Lighting technology: high-efficiency LED with scene control
- Integrated low current systems: ICT, AV, Safety & Security, EVAC, BMS
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