UAE authorities have completed the construction of the country's first waste-to-energy plant. First project of the Emirates Waste to Energy, the Sharjah Waste to Energy plant has now entered the testing and commissioning phase.

It was launched as a joint venture established between Beeah Energy, the renewable energy business of Beeah Group, and Masdar, one of the leading renewable energy companies in the world. 

After the testing, commissioning and operational activities of the project are completed, the plant will make Sharjah the first zero-waste city in the Middle East region. It will turn unrecyclable waste into clean energy, and boost the current landfill diversion rate from 76 percent to 100 percent. At the same time, it will help in the reduction of waste sent to landfills across the UAE, further boosting the nation's clean energy resources.

Once full operational capacity, the plant will help in diverting approximately 300,000 tonnes of unrecyclable waste from landfills every year. It will result in the production of 30 megawatts (MW) of low-carbon electricity, quite enough to power 28,000 homes in Sharjah.

Speaking about the project, Khaled Al Huraimel, Group CEO of Beeah Group, stated that the completion of construction of the project is an important milestone for the Emirates Waste to Energy venture.

"We look forward to a successful testing and commissioning phase followed by achieving full operations, which will make Sharjah the Middle East's first zero-waste city. This will also be a landmark moment as we work towards a zero-waste, clean-energy future for the nation, the region and beyond," Al Huraimel added.

Furthermore, Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Masdar CEO, expressed gratitude in partnering with Beeah to leverage years of experience in the clean energy sector to empower the UAE's first waste-to-energy power plant.

The plant is constructed by France-based industrial contractor CNIM, covering an 80,000 sqm area. It has been constructed in accordance with the EU Best Available Techniques while adhering to the strictest environmental standards worldwide.

The plant feeds unrecyclable waste into a boiler to produce high-pressure steam, turning electric turbine generators. The process produces flue gas which filters toxins and pollutants. 

Furthermore, bottom ash is collected to recover metals and ash material for use in construction and roadwork applications. Fly ash is collected and treated separately.

There is an award-winning waste-management complex adjacent to the waste-to-energy plant. The complex is operated by Beeah Recycling, BEEAH Group's recycling and material recovery business. The project has helped in achieving a 76 percent landfill waste diversion rate in the emirate. Unrecyclable waste from this complex will further be transported to the waste-to-energy plant.

Al Huraimel expressed confidence in the successful testing and commissioning period of the project which will demonstrate the importance of clean waste-to-energy as an essential innovation to sustaining the circular economy. It will also help in addressing the challenge of unrecyclable waste to serve as a more affordable, low-carbon alternative to traditional fossil fuels.

The 30 MW plant has a capacity to displace almost 450,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year and preserve the equivalent of 45 million m3 of natural gas.

At the same time, Beeah and Masdar are exploring more opportunities for the Emirates Waste to Energy company to establish similar plants across the UAE and other regions. 

BEEAH Group CEO underlined the company's mission to fulfill the national and regional sustainability agendas as well as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) across its businesses, ventures, and partnerships. 

"Our goal is to realise a zero-waste, clean energy future, starting with the UAE, where we are driven by the Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative. We believe more such waste-to-energy innovations will be critical in achieving this vision and pioneering a sustainable quality of life for all," the official added. 

Emirates Waste to Energy, BEEAH and Masdar will be officially opening the energy plant soon.

SOURCE LINKS: https://www.khaleejtimes.com/energy/uae-construction-completed-on-countrys-first-waste-to-energy-plant