EWEC and Tadweer issue RFP for Abu Dhabi Waste-to-Energy IPP
It will have an expected processing capacity of 900,000 tonnes of waste per year and will generate enough electricity to power up to 52,500 households
Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) and Abu Dhabi Waste Management Centre (Tadweer), the authority for waste management activities in Abu Dhabi emirate, have issued a request for proposal (RFP) to pre-qualified companies and consortia that had expressed an interest in developing the greenfield Abu Dhabi Waste-to-Energy (WtE) Independent Power Project (IPP).
In a statement, EWEC and Tadweer said the WtE plant will be located near the existing Al Dhafra landfill in Abu Dhabi. It will have an expected processing capacity of 900,000 tonnes of waste per year and will generate enough electricity to power up to 52,500 households, making it one of the largest WtE facilities in the region. Furthermore, the plant is expected to reduce CO2 equivalent emissions by up to 1.1mn tonnes per year, which is comparable to the removal of more than 240,000 cars from the road.
Othman Al Ali, Chief Executive Officer of EWEC, said, “We have seen significant interest in this strategic project following the expression of interest (EOI) phase and are delighted that, in partnership with Tadweer, we can now invite qualified companies to participate in the RFP.”
In April 2022, a 70,000 tonnes per annum waste-to-energy plant was commissioned by Dulsco.
The RFP is being issued to selected bidders that submitted an Expression of Interest (EOI) and have completed the qualification process. A total of 109 companies and consortia had submitted EOIs, he revealed.
The project will involve the financing, construction, operation and maintenance of the WtE plant that will use advanced moving grate technology to convert municipal solid waste into electricity via a high-efficiency steam turbine generator set. The successful developer will own up to 40% of the entity, while the remaining equity will be primarily held indirectly by the Abu Dhabi Government.
H.E. Dr. Salem Al Kaabi, Director General of Tadweer, said: “We are pleased to announce the RFP for this vital project, which reflects our commitment to developing innovative projects and solutions in the field of waste management and supporting the circular economy in the UAE. The plant, developed in collaboration with EWEC, will help turn household waste into electrical energy. The project will be structured through the IPP model, in line with the best international standards and practices, which will enhance our contribution to the UAE’s efforts to achieve a sustainable future for the energy sector.”
Proposals are expected to be received by the end of Q4, 2022. Following review of the proposals, EWEC and Tadweer will announce the successful bidder to proceed to the next stage.
In April, construction was completed on the Sharjah Waste to Energy plant, which is the first project of Emirates Waste to Energy, a joint venture established by BEEAH Energy and Masdar. In July, SirajPower inked a deal to develop a solar-diesel-battery project for Cleanco Waste Treatment.
