Dubai is on the brink of completing one of the world's most substantial Waste-to-Energy plants, built in a single phase. With construction initiated in 2020 and on-track for full commissioning in Q1 2024, the colossal Dubai Waste-to-Energy facility represents an exceptional feat of engineering and environmental commitment – where BESIX plays an instrumental role.
Dubai Municipality and other stakeholders are currently overseeing the construction of an unparalleled energy-from-waste facility, marking a significant advancement in sustainable energy solutions. We are pleased to announce that the facility has recently achieved a pivotal milestone: the initiation of preliminary operations.
Flashback to 2020
BESIX and its partner Hitachi Zosen Inova are awarded a BOOT contract for the financing, design, construction, and operations and maintenance of the facility for 35 years. After a successful financial close in 2021, BESIX cemented its role as a first-choice industrial partner of public authorities for the implementation and long-term operations and maintenance of their PPP infrastructures.
Fast forward to June 2023
The first fire at the plant is successfully ignited, demonstrating the plant’s efficient and secure waste-to-energy conversion capabilities.
“Since then, all major civil works have been completed”, explains Jim Spence, BESIX Project Director, “and requisite performance and reliability tests successfully conducted. Recently, preliminary operations have commenced on a small scale. Two of the five lines are currently processing a modest 2,500-3,000 tonnes of municipal waste daily and supplying the first MW of electricity to the Dubai grid!”
A colossal conversion capacity
The facility has been meticulously engineered to convert an estimated 1.9 million tonnes of municipal waste into electricity on an annual basis. This figure represents approximately 45% of the total waste generated by Dubai within a year. To elucidate the scale of operations, 45% of Dubai's annual waste equates to an approximate daily intake of 5.5 thousand tonnes. Given that a standard refuse collection vehicle has a capacity of 10 tonnes, this translates to between 700 to 800 vehicles depositing waste at the facility each day, or a vehicle approximately every 90 seconds!
“The facility is equipped with five high-capacity boilers tasked with waste processing. Additionally, it houses a sizeable steam turbine designed for electricity generation, an exhaust stack measuring 65 meters in height, and waste bunkers with a storage capacity of up to 20,000 tonnes, equivalent to a four-day waste supply”, adds Jim Spence.
The waste management protocol is not merely transactional. The calorific value of the waste is rigorously assessed, leading to a strategic amalgamation of moisture-rich waste with its drier counterpart within the bunkers. Termed as "equalizing the waste," this procedure ensures optimal conversion efficiency. Subsequently, the harmonized waste is channelled into the boilers, which have a consumption rate of approximately 45 tonnes per hour. Notably, the combustion process is self-sustaining, requiring no auxiliary fuel, as the waste itself provides the requisite heat.
This generated heat is subsequently converted into hot gases. The facility's furnace is encased by water tubes that harness this heat, converting it into steam and, ultimately, power. The primary yield from this process is electricity. Imagine tossing your rubbish bag down the chute and, by the next evening, charging your phone using electricity derived from that very waste!
The facility is projected to produce an impressive 200 MW of electricity, entirely devoid of fossil fuel reliance.
Environmental commitments
The facility underscores its dedication to environmental stewardship through a multifaceted approach. While the facility's magnitude is certainly commendable, its refined sophistication stands out. Although energy-from-waste technology isn’t entirely new, this facility has incorporated advanced environmental emission controls, aligning with stringent global environmental standards.
Furthermore, the facility operates at elevated steam temperatures and pressures compared to more conventional plants, enhancing its efficiency in waste-to-electricity conversion. This method yields a significant amount of electricity (enough to power around 135,000 homes across the region) without relying on fossil fuels.
Moreover, by redirecting 45% of municipal waste away from landfills, the facility plays a pivotal role in Dubai's strategy to achieve 100% waste diversion by 2030. This reduction in landfill usage not only prevents waste degradation but also substantially curtails greenhouse gas emissions. This commitment aligns with the UAE's declaration at COP26 in Glasgow to diminish greenhouse gas emissions by 30% within this decade.
Additionally, the ash derived from the combustion process is repurposed for cement production.
“Our consortium partner, Hitachi Zosen Inova (HZI) is renowned globally in the field of Waste-to-Energy developments. By merging their process technology with our extensive regional multi-sectoral expertise, we are delivering a turnkey facility that will achieve energy efficiency of 30%, among the best worldwide”, continues Peter Lembrechts, General Manager of BESIX in the Middle East. “The Dubai Waste-to-Energy project enters a long list of environmental projects developed and realised by BESIX Group in the Middle East. Other flagship waste management projects by BESIX are for instance the Ajman Sludge-to-Energy facility and the Emirates Refuse Derived Fuel one in Umm Al Quwain.”
Focus on time, cost and safety delivery
The Dubai Waste-to-Energy project not only embodies Dubai's commitment to sustainability but also sets a new standard for waste management and energy production on a global scale. With its cutting-edge technology, multi-disciplined cooperation, and unwavering environmental focus, this monumental project represents a shining example of how innovation and dedication can pave the way for a more sustainable future.
“With the Client, our partners, and all our colleagues, we have really created something exceptional. We are extremely proud in being integral to this sustainable, efficient, and visionary project” continues Peter Lembrechts.
“Throughout its progression, everyone involved has remained focused on delivering a project that's timely, cost-effective, and where the safety and wellbeing of every team member was our number one priority” concludes Jim Spence.
