Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, launched the first phase of the Waste to Energy Centre in Warsan, the world’s largest and most efficient waste-to-energy plant.

The $1.1 billion plant will convert 2m tonnes of waste into energy which can power 135,000 houses. In doing so, not only will it reduce pollution but it will also contribute to Dubai’s developing reputation as a sustainability pioneer.

Sheikh Hamdan said: “The start of the operations of the Waste to Energy Centre in Warsan takes Dubai another step closer to achieving its strategy to create the world’s best sustainable ecosystem. We are committed to building a better future for future generations by ensuring our ambitious economic development programmes maintain the highest standards of sustainability and environmental preservation. The new Waste to Energy Centre has a comprehensive, eco-friendly waste management system that integrates global sustainability benchmarks”.

The Sheikh supervised the Centrec’s first waste to energy operation which left no environmental footprint. As of now 2 out of the 5 lines have been opened and about 2,300 tonnes of solid waste is processed currently. Currently the plant generates about 80 MWh and with the opening of the second line, the output has increased to 220MWh which means it will generate 5,280 MWh daily.

By creating a smart, sustainable and environmentally friendly waste collection and conversion method, it supports the objectives of the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 to derive 75 percent of Dubai’s energy needs from clean sources and transform the city into a clean energy and green economy hub 2050.

The new facility also contributes to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the objectives of the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference COP 28 and the UAE’s Year of Sustainability by minimising the volume of solid waste directed to landfills, cultivating alternative sources of clean energy, and upgrading the waste management system in Dubai.