At BESIX Group, we recognize the importance of forums like COP28, primarily a platform for policymakers and sector organizations. Although we didn't participate directly in COP28, our involvement in related activities has been significant.
Last week, before attending the COP28 climate summit in Dubai, Belgian Prime Minister De Croo met with industry representatives, including from BESIX. Our representative, CEO Pierre Sironval, effectively communicated our stance: Europe's climate ambitions are commendable, but the challenge lies in their implementation. Pierre Sironval emphasized the need for pragmatic transposition of European directives to avoid placing Belgian companies at an economic disadvantage in the highly competitive international arena.
The Prime Minister, speaking to the press, echoed the sentiment that the EU should incentivize rather than penalize, noting that current climate legislation might be overly restrictive for industries. He expressed his belief in the synergy between climate ambitions and the industrial sector, stating, "Our industry is part of the solution."
In Dubai, the Premier visited our Waste to Energy (WtE) plant, coinciding with the opening of the world’s largest and most advanced facility of its kind. Developed with our partner Hitachi Zosen Inova (HZI), the plant will divert nearly 2 million tonnes of waste from landfills annually and generate power for over 120,000 households, equivalent to 200MW.
Our colleagues Peter Lembrechts, Emmanuel Craenen, and James Spence had the honor of guiding the Premier through the plant, offering a comprehensive overview of its operations. His visit underscored his commitment to collaborating with the industry to achieve Net Zero.
Watch here the report on Dutch-speaking Belgian television VTM, feat. colleague Peter Lembrechts, General Manager of BESIX Middle East.
Following his visit, the Prime Minister once again underlined his support for our industry in the pursuit of sustainable solutions in an Instagram post:
This week, Peter Lembrechts delivered a public keynote at COP28, discussing BESIX's journey in the energy transition. He highlighted our projects' sustainability features and environmental benefits. His keynote, "Navigating the Energy Transition: From Waste to Watt," focused on our role in aiding public and private companies in the Middle East with sustainable, long-term infrastructures, especially in wastewater, solid waste, water, and green energy. He articulated our vision to lead the energy transition and circular economy in the region, pioneering sustainable solutions for a greener future.
It's worth noting that our initial foray into this area, the Ajman Sewerage project, launched in 2006 as the Emirates' first sewage treatment facility and the region's first public-private partnership, continues to yield results. Our involvement in the Waste-to-Energy plant, where we are investor, contractor, and operator for 35 years, reaffirms our commitment to being a sustainability leader.
Watch here the impressive time-lapse of the realisation of the WtE plant.