Dubai: Sheikh Hamdan inaugurates world's largest waste-to-energy facility worth Dh4 billion

Facility is capable of generating 220 megawatt-hours of renewable energy, which can power 135,000 residential units

Ajanta Paul

Published: Tue 4 Jul 2023, 4:08 PM

Last updated: Tue 4 Jul 2023, 10:41 PM

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai on Tuesday, inaugurated the first phase of world’s largest waste-to-energy facility in Warsan with an investment worth Dh4 billion.

The Crown Prince said that it is a remarkable project that reinforces Dubai’s status as a global leader in sustainable infrastructure. In a tweet he wrote: "The facility is capable of generating 220 megawatt-hours of renewable energy, which can power 135,000 residential units.

"The facility can process 2 million tonnes of waste per year without any adverse environmental impact. We congratulate the exceptional teams involved in this unique project. We are committed to deploying advanced technologies to build a brighter and more sustainable future."

Advertising

Two of the plant’s five lines have been operationalised, which currently process about 2,300 tonnes of solid waste daily. The sophisticated process employs steam pressure to create rotational energy that powers the generator to produce electricity. At present, the facility generates about 80 MWh of renewable energy. With the opening of its second phase, the facility’s output is set to expand to 220 MWh, which translates to 5,280 MWh daily.

The start of the operations takes the emirate another step closer to achieving its strategy to create the world’s best sustainable ecosystem. The Centre will make significant contributions to Dubai’s efforts to enhance environmental sustainability and mitigate climate change by reducing 2,400 tonnes of carbon emissions annually by diverting waste from landfills.

It will also help raise the share of clean energy sources in Dubai’s energy mix. The facility converts daily waste equivalent to that generated by 3 million people into energy and uses recycled water to produce the steam required to power the centre’s electricity-generating turbine.

By creating a solid base for a smart, sustainable, and environmentally friendly waste collection, management and treatment system, the Waste to Energy Centre in Warsan supports the objectives of the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 to derive 75% of Dubai's energy needs from clean sources by 2050 and transform the city into a global clean energy and green economy hub by 2050.

Construction of the landmark project began in 2021, in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President, Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to raise the emirate’s profile as a global model for sustainable development and consolidate its position as the best city to live and work in.

The entire project is scheduled to finish by 2024.

With Dubai’s population expected to continue growing at an increasingly rapid pace thanks to a surge in economic activities, the project would significantly minimise the potential volume of municipal waste in landfills and create alternative energy sources.

ALSO READ: