Dubai: Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai has unveiled the first phase of the Waste to Energy Centre in Warsan. Constructed at a cost of $1.08 billion, this project signifies a significant leap forward in waste management and renewable energy generation.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed has commented that Dubai continues to accelerate its transition to a green economy by building a world-class clean energy infrastructure. Guided by the vision of the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to transform Dubai into one of the world’s most sustainable cities, the emirate has steadily expanded its capacity to produce energy from renewable sources.
“The start of the operations of the Waste to Energy Centre in Warsan takes Dubai another step closer to achieving its strategy to create the world’s best sustainable ecosystem. We are committed to building a better future for future generations by ensuring our ambitious economic development programmes maintain the highest standards of sustainability and environmental preservation,”
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed remarked.
Waste to Energy Centre tour
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed witnessed the waste-to-energy conversion operations at the Centre, which had no negative impact on the environment. Currently, two out of the five lines in the plant are operational and can process approximately 2,300 tonnes of solid waste every day. The process involves using steam pressure to create rotational energy, which then powers a generator to produce electricity. At present, the facility generates around 80 megawatt-hours (MWh) of renewable energy. In the second phase, the facility’s output is expected to expand to 220 MWh, which is equivalent to 5,280 MWh per day.
During his visit, Sheikh Hamdan was welcomed by Mr. Mattar Al Tayer, the Commissioner-General of the Infrastructure, Urban Planning, and Wellbeing Pillar, along with Mr. Dawood Al Hajri, the Director General of Dubai Municipality. He received a briefing on the Centre, which is the largest facility of its kind globally in terms of operational capacity. Sheikh Hamdan also toured the facility, which has the capability to treat approximately 2 million tonnes of solid waste annually and generate enough power to meet the needs of over 135,000 housing units. Spanning an area of 400,000 square metres, the Centre comprises five production lines with the capacity to treat 5,666 tonnes of waste per day.
What Dubai Waste-to-Energy Centre is up to?
The Dubai Waste-to-Energy Centre is set to play a key role in Dubai’s commitment to environmental sustainability and tackling climate change. By diverting waste from landfills, the facility will annually reduce carbon emissions by 2,400 tonnes. Moreover, it will contribute to increasing the proportion of clean energy sources in Dubai’s energy mix. Every day, the Centre converts waste equivalent to that produced by 3 million people into energy, utilizing recycled water to generate the steam required to power the electricity-generating turbine.
Aligned with the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, the Waste to Energy Centre at Warsan establishes a strong foundation for a smart, sustainable, and eco-friendly waste collection, management, and treatment system. Dubai aims to derive 75 percent of its energy from clean sources by 2050 and position itself as a global hub for clean energy and a green economy. This ambitious objective supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference COP 28, and the UAE’s Year of Sustainability. The Centre plays a significant role in reducing the volume of solid waste directed to landfills, promoting alternative clean energy sources, and upgrading waste management practices in Dubai.
The Waste-to-Energy Centre is a vital component of the Dubai Master Waste Management Plan 2021-2041. By implementing global best practices in integrated waste management, the Centre ensures a safe work environment that fosters investment opportunities and competitiveness in the waste management sector. It aims to deliver long-term projects that offer practical solutions to environmental challenges, aligning with Dubai’s sustainable economic development agenda. Additionally, the Centre supports the Circular Economy Policy 2021-2031, which outlines a comprehensive roadmap for transforming Dubai into a global model for circular economy practices. It emphasizes sustainable resource management, eco-friendly consumption and production techniques, and the efficient utilization of natural resources to reduce waste and environmental stress while enhancing overall environmental well-being.
The Waste-to-Energy Centre in Warsan stands as a remarkable collaboration between five private sector companies, including Dubai Holding, Dubai Holding, Itoshu, Hitachi Zosen Innova, and Besix Group. This consortium of local and international partners has contributed to the successful realization of this transformative project, further highlighting Dubai’s commitment to sustainable development and its collaborative approach to tackling environmental challenges.
Technologies used in the Centre
The Waste-to-Energy Centre employs advanced technologies from Japan and Switzerland for efficient waste management and energy generation. To ensure environmental safety, all emissions undergo rigorous treatment using a textile filter consisting of 12,480 cylindrical filter bags. Moreover, the Centre implements comprehensive measures to eliminate any unpleasant odours from waste management activities. The Centre is designed to accommodate approximately 133 waste trucks per hour, allowing for efficient unloading through 27 gates in less than 15 minutes.
Once both phases of the project are completed, it will produce 220 megawatt-hours (MWh) of power. Out of this total, 35 MWh will be utilized to operate the Warsan Wastewater Treatment Plant, while 20 MWh will be directed towards powering the Waste to Energy Centre. To enhance sustainability and resource efficiency, the project will make use of 2,760 cubic meters of recycled water sourced from the Warsan Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Earlier this year, Dubai Municipality and Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) entered into an agreement to purchase energy from the Waste to Energy Centre for a duration of 35 years, ensuring its distribution to end users. This collaboration between the two entities aims to promote the utilization of clean energy and support sustainable initiatives in Dubai.