In a first in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sharjah-based fully integrated environmental and waste management company Bee’ah and the region’s leading renewable energy solutions provider Masdar will convert Bee’ah’s landfill into a solar farm.
An agreement was signed between the top officials from both organizations during the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week which takes place virtually this week.
The project which will be executed through a joint venture called Emirates Waste to Energy Company will be set up above Bee’ah’s Al Sa’jah landfill which is in close proximity to the Sharjah Waste to Energy facility and Bee’ah’s Waste Management Complex. The 120 megawatts (MW) solar photovoltaic (PV) project will be commissioned across three phases, with the first phase due for completion in 2023.
Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi CEO – Masdar
“Masdar is proud to be extending our existing partnership with Bee’ah through the Emirates Waste to Energy Company to develop this landmark project in Sharjah. Waste is a growing issue in the Gulf Cooperation Council region. However, this project highlights how we can utilize closed landfills to deliver clean energy, while simultaneously supporting the UAE’s clean energy targets and UN Sustainable Development Goals. We are confident that this project can become a benchmark for other landfill sites in the region.”
Sharing his remarks on the JV Mr. Khaled Al Huraimel, Group Chief Executive Officer of Bee’ah, Chairman of the Emirates Waste to Energy Company stated that “As a pioneer of zero waste solutions, Bee’ah is looking to create new value from capped landfills while supporting the deployment of renewable energy in the UAE and I am confident that we can replicate this same model of success for other cities in the Middle East.
Through Emirates Waste to Energy Company, we are proud to be partnering with Masdar to support the UAE’s pioneering sustainability vision,” Mr. Al Huraimel added.
Using a landfill for productive use is considered as a issue across the globe due to the stringent environmental monitoring and remediation requirements that can take up to 30 years.
As part of the deal, Emirates Waste to Energy Company will take up the responsibility if financing, design, procurement and construction. The firm will extend its operation and maintenance services to the project for a duration of 25 years under the terms of the lease agreement.
