The Sharjah Waste-to-Energy plant, operated by a joint venture between Beeah, Veolia and Masdar, reached a key milestone, processing over 500,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste. Launched in 2022, the state-of-the-art plant has the capacity to process 37.5 tonnes per hour of municipal waste to generate electric power, enough to power up to 28,000 homes and offset up to 450,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year. 

The milestone was marked by a plant tour organised for a delegation that included members of the media. 

"This achievement underscores our dedication to turning waste into a resource," stated Aidan Kennedy, Plant Director, the Sharjah Waste to Energy Facility, emphasising the plant’s role in advancing waste management goals. He explained how the plant has exceeded the targets in energy production, waste processing efficiency, and environmental protection. 

The plant has successfully abated 750,000 tonnes of CO 2 emissions and recovered 2,000 tonnes of metal since it began operations. In addition, 3,000,000 kWh electricity has been exported, and more than 300,000 hours have been worked without a lost time incident, reflecting high safety standards at the site, according to its press statement. 

This groundbreaking project is equipped with cutting-edge technology to ensure both high efficiency and minimal environmental impact. It includes a CNIM boiler with a unique four-pass system and a Martin grate with a 5-run design which ensures optimal combustion control. The LAB flue gas treatment system further minimises emissions, supporting the facility’s role to reduce environmental impact. 

Explaining the process, he said that post segregation at Beeah, the non recyclable waste reaches the plant. “Our process here converts non-recyclable waste into energy. Non-recyclable waste arrives after segregation from Beeah, which we feed into our furnace for complete combustion. This generates extremely hot gases, which we use to produce steam. The steam powers a turbine, generating 33 megawatts of electricity. Of this, we use three megawatts to operate the plant, while the remaining 30 megawatts is supplied to the grid, powering approximately 28,000 homes. All flue gases from combustion pass through scrubbers, ensuring they meet stringent European emission standards before being released."

Earlier during the inaugural address, he said that with a landfill diversion rate exceeding 90%, the facility is pivotal to Sharjah’s ambition of diverting almost all waste from landfills. “We’re proud that only 10% of waste reaches landfills now,” said Kennedy adding, "demonstrating our commitment to environmental sustainability."

The plant’s proximity to Beeah’s material recovery facility offers significant advantage as it cuts down both transportation cost and energy consumption. 

Speaking to Waste & Recycling magazine, Thierry Dezenclos, CEO Veolia UAE, highlighted the role of waste-to-energy (WtE) facilities in advancing the circular economy by diverting waste from landfills and reducing CO₂ emissions. He noted that WtE is an effective solution to convert non-recyclable waste into energy. “It is important to prioritise waste recycling and reuse, including materials like plastics, metals, and glass, and directing only non-reusable waste to WtE plants. This way we not only reduce waste going to the landfills but also produce energy.”

In his keynote address, H.E. Jean Christophe Paris, Consul General of the French Republic to the UAE, said, “This project exemplifies how innovation and international collaboration can lead to meaningful ecological progress.” This achievement not only reflects our commitment to sustainability but also highlights the incredible strength of collaboration between French and Emirati partners,” Paris further remarked. “The significance of this project is not just in numbers, but also in its environmental impact. It aligns perfectly with the UAE energy strategy 2050 which aims at increasing the contribution of clean energy to 50%.” 

Khaled Al Huraimel, Group CEO of BEEAH, said the partnership between the three entities leverages their collective strengths in waste management and clean energy, adding, “This success is a result of our teamwork, innovation and our shared drive to make a zero waste future possible.” He spoke about how the facility helps solve the issue of managing hard-to-recycle materials. The partnership has enhanced sustainability and operational efficiency, raising Sharjah's landfill diversion rate from 76% to over 90%, with only 10% of waste now going to landfills. “This initiative met clean energy targets, reduced emissions by hundreds of thousands of tonnes, and achieved 300,000 hours of continuous operation, demonstrating that waste-to-energy is both environmentally and commercially viable—a model any city can adopt for landfill reduction and clean energy integration.” 

Fawwaz Al Muharrami, Deputy COO, Engineering Delivery and Supply Chain, Masdar, opined that the achievement underscored the UAE's leadership in clean energy and climate action. “The first Middle Eastern nation to ratify the Paris Agreement and commit to a Net Zero strategy, the UAE has set a strong example in sustainability.” The Sharjah waste-to-energy plant, which generates clean electricity for thousands of households, diverts hundreds of thousands of tonnes of waste from landfills, and significantly reduces CO2 emissions annually, contributes to Sharjah's goal of becoming the first zero-waste city in the region, he added. 

Hamza Al Jefri, CEO of Emirates Waste To Energy, remarked, "This achievement underscores our role as Middle East pioneers in the waste to energy sector. At Emirates Waste To Energy, we are dedicated to establishing a facility that stands as a leading example of sustainable energy solutions.”