Following a major global procurement process that began in July 2022 and is managed by the Abu Dhabi-based Emirates Water & Electricity Company (EWEC) and Tadweer Group, final bids were later submitted in April 2023 for detailed evaluation. The concession agreement has now been signed at the Abu Dhabi Energy Centre by Othman Al Ali, Chief Executive Officer of EWEC, along with Ali Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Tadweer Group, and Roni Araiji, consortium representative and Managing Director Middle East of Hitachi Zosen Inova.

EWEC and Tadweer Group have selected a consortium led by Marubeni Corporation, consisting of Hitachi Zosen Inova (HZI) and the Japan Overseas Infrastructure Investment Corporation for Transport & Urban Development (JOIN), to design, build and operate the world’s most advanced and efficient Waste to Energy (WtE) plant in Abu Dhabi. Once operational, the new facility will drive forward the UAE’s circular economy and, importantly, will accelerate the capital city’s move away from landfill dependency.

Abu Dhabi’s first WtE plant will be located near the Al-Dhafra landfill and will have a processing capacity of 900,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste each year for the next 30 years. This will significantly boost Abu Dhabi’s transition away from reliance on landfill, considered by many as the least sustainable form of waste management. This important project will underpin the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) goal to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 1.1 million tonnes annually.

The project will involve the financing, construction, operation and maintenance of the new WtE plant. The facility will utilise one of the largest and most advanced moving grate technologies ever made to convert municipal solid waste into electricity by using a highly efficient water-steam cycle.

HZI, the world’s leading greentech provider of turnkey WtE facilities, is working in partnership with Marubeni Corporation and JOIN; together they will shortly move the Abu Dhabi project into its three-year construction phase to deliver the world’s most advanced ultra-large WtE plant.

“At HZI we are deeply honoured to be among the consortium partners selected to deliver this vital piece of Waste to Energy infrastructure,” said Bruno-Frédéric Baudouin, CEO of HZI. “This is HZI’s second ultra-large WtE project in the Middle East, and it demonstrates our collective commitment to designing, building and operating the most advanced and efficient WtE facilities in the Emirates. State-of-the-art Waste to X facilities are a vital component in the drive to enhance decarbonisation, resource circularity and supply security across the region.”

Othman Al Ali, Chief Executive Officer of EWEC, remarked: “Today marks a milestone for Abu Dhabi and the UAE as we continue to accelerate the decarbonisation and sustainable transformation of the country’s economy. In partnership with Tadweer Group, this significant Waste to Energy project enables Abu Dhabi’s strategic shift towards integrating sustainable and environmentally friendly energy sources that cater to its community’s needs and drive the development of the UAE’s circular economy. EWEC is at the forefront of accelerating the UAE’s energy transition, and we are proud to expand our portfolio to include circular economy projects such as Waste to Energy. We look forward to collaborating with Tadweer Group and our Japanese partners in setting a new standard for Waste to Energy projects in the region and beyond.”

Ali Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Tadweer Group, commented: “This concession agreement marks a new chapter in our mission to promote environmental sustainability and implement accelerated technology, showcasing the importance of waste conversion to clean energy. This project is a cornerstone in our strategy to reduce reliance on landfills, lower carbon emissions and support the UAE’s energy agenda. We look forward to working closely with our partners to harness pioneering technologies that transform waste into valuable resources.”

Isao Suzuki, Regional CEO of Marubeni Corporation for the Middle East, said: “We at Marubeni are deeply honoured to participate in this landmark Waste to Energy project, a pivotal initiative that embodies our commitment to sustainable development and environmental stewardship. This project not only marks a significant advancement in the UAE’s journey towards a circular economy but also showcases the strength of international collaboration in addressing global challenges. This initiative aligns seamlessly with Marubeni’s dedication to innovation in the energy sector, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in waste management and energy production.”