Since its launch one year ago, the Sharjah Waste to Energy plant has achieved significant milestones as it produced enough energy to power more than 2,000 homes annually, while also offsetting 150,000 tons of CO2 emissions.
The achievement is noteworthy as approximately 60 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the UAE result from household and industrial waste decomposing in landfills.
The plant has processed over 100,000 tonnes of waste since its inauguration, equivalent to the waste generated by 180,000 individuals annually, and has also recovered more than 250 tonnes of metal. Consequently, Sharjah has set a new record in its zero-waste to landfill journey, attaining a waste diversion rate of 90 percent.
The Sharjah Waste to Energy plant, which was launched in May 2022, is a collaboration between BEEAH Group, the Middle East’s trailblazer in sustainability, and Masdar, a top-rated clean energy firm worldwide.
According to Khaled Al Huraimel, the CEO of BEEAH Group, the Sharjah Waste to Energy plant is a remarkable example of successful collaboration in support of the UAE’s sustainability goals. By teaming up with Masdar, they have introduced an innovative waste-to-energy solution that contributes to the national clean energy mix and helps Sharjah move closer to its zero-waste to landfill objectives. Furthermore, the plant has achieved a new Middle East record of 90 percent landfill waste diversion, which showcases the beneficial impact of energy innovations on sustainable waste management.
“The Sharjah Waste to Energy plant demonstrates how clean energy can not only help meet energy demand, but also recover valuable material and tackle the mounting challenge of waste in growing cities across the Middle East,” he said.
A significant step towards decarbonisation
The plant is ramping up operations to produce 30 MW of power annually, while processing 300,000 tonnes of waste that would otherwise go to landfill. Over a 12-month period, the plant is capable of offsetting 450,000 tonnes of CO2.
According to Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, the CEO of Masdar, the accomplishment of processing 100,000 tonnes of waste in the first year of operation is a remarkable achievement in their mission to pioneer global efforts toward decarbonisation.
“Utilising the latest innovative technologies, the plant has played a leading role in Sharjah’s 90 percent landfill waste diversion success and in supporting the UAE’s goal of diverting 75 percent of solid waste from landfills. We look forward to boosting R&D investment in waste-to-energy projects and working with BEEAH to further accelerate the reduction of global carbon emissions and divert waste from landfills,” he added.
The Sharjah Waste to Energy plant is situated in the Al Sajaa locality of Sharjah, close to BEEAH’s integrated waste management complex that houses recycling facilities, leading to higher landfill waste diversion rates.
The plant works by incinerating waste, generating flue gas that is treated according to European Union environmental regulations. The heat generated in the process is recuperated and utilised in a steam boiler, which, in turn, runs an electrical turbine, producing electricity. The plant boasts one of the highest industry rates for its boiler and thermal efficiency.
This pioneering project is the first initiative of the Emirates Waste to Energy joint venture between BEEAH and Masdar. The venture is committed to launching additional waste-to-energy plants in the UAE and the wider region to lead the way in integrated solutions for achieving zero-waste to landfill and net-zero emissions.
