Dubai to Launch Phase 2 Expansion of Warsan Waste-to-Energy Plant

Dubai, UAE: Dubai will commence the second phase of expansion at its Warsan Waste-to-Energy plant later this year, further strengthening the emirate’s strategy to convert municipal waste into clean energy, according to a statement issued by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy following its 92nd meeting.

The next phase will enhance the performance of the 2 million tonnes per annum Warsan Waste-to-Energy Centre, procured by Dubai Municipality under a public-private partnership model. Since operations began, the facility has processed more than 4.5 million tonnes of waste, with 62 percent diverted from landfill in alignment with Dubai’s long-term objective of eliminating landfill sites by 2041.

The first phase of the AED 4 billion ($1.2 billion) project was inaugurated in July 2023 by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai.

Capacity and Performance

Operated by Warsan Waste Management Company (WWMC), the plant entered full commercial operations in September 2024. The facility is designed to process up to 6,000 tonnes of solid waste per day, accounting for roughly half of Dubai’s daily waste generation of approximately 13,000 tonnes.

It produces up to 220 megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity, sufficient to power around 135,000 homes. In addition to electricity generation, the plant supports the emirate’s circular economy objectives by converting residual ash into cement kiln material to reduce raw material consumption and recovering metals from waste streams for recycling.

Dubai has already closed landfill sites in Warsan, Jebel Ali and Hatta, with work ongoing to shut remaining sites at Al Qusais and Al Bayadiyah by 2027. Officials anticipate landfill dependency will end once additional waste-to-energy facilities and recycling hubs are fully operational.

PPP Structure and International Consortium

The project was developed by a consortium comprising Belgium’s BESIX, Japan’s Hitachi Zosen Inova and ITOCHU, alongside local partners Dubai Holding, DUBAL Holding and Tech Group.

It operates under a 35-year Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) concession agreement between Dubai Municipality and WWMC, which serves as the project’s Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV).

The second-phase expansion underscores Dubai’s continued investment in infrastructure that supports sustainability, energy diversification and long-term urban resilience, reinforcing the emirate’s ambition to become a global leader in circular economy practices.