Power to be generated from waste in Dh165 million project

Abu Dhabi - 5 mw of power to be produced by the Al Dhafra project

A facility that will turn gases produced by wastes into electricity is coming up in Abu Dhabi, say authorities.
Tadweer, the Centre for Waste Management (CWM) in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday officially signed five contracts with private companies, of an estimated Dh165 million cost, at the EcoWASTE Exhibition, part of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.
The new projects include the one to convert gases produced at the Al Dhafra landfill into electricity; to recycle cooking oil into biogas; and to treat and incinerate medical and hazardous waste.
Falah Al Ahbabi, Tadweer chairman, said: "Tadweer is very pleased to announce these new projects, that are in line with the Abu Dhabi's Government master plan related to sustainability and environmental conservation. The new projects will greatly contribute in sustainable waste management and environmental protection by teating hazardous waste, reducing landfill waste and reducing GHG emissions.
"These landmark projects will enable Tadweer to fulfill its commitment of ensuring a safe and sustainable future for the next generations."
Tadweer signed a contract with Green Energy Solutions & Sustainability LLC for the first landfill gas-to-energy investment project at Al Dhafra Landfill.
The project, which will prevent the emission of greenhouse gases from the landfill, is expected to produce about 5 MW of power by September 2018 and will be registered with the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) for carbon credit.
"The methane and greenhouse gases produced by the landfill will be captured, purified and converted via gas engines into electricity, enough to fully power the planned recycling plant and incinerators," Saeed Al Mehairbi, acting general manager of Tadweer, told Khaleej Times.
"A lot of wastes have been accumulating in the landfill for years and are producing methane gases. We came up with this brilliant idea of cooperating with the private sector to turn methane gases into electricity to control emission and protect the environment."
Tadweer also awarded two new contracts to Ramky and BRS Ventures Joint Venture for Medical and Hazardous waste incineration projects in Abu Dhabi, and a contract to CleanCo in Al Ain. The facilities in Abu Dhabi will be able to treat about 15,000 tonnes per annum, while the Al Ain facilitiy will treat about 3,000 per year. Both projects will be operational by end of 2018.
This year, Tadweer will also be working with Blue Al Serkal for recycling used cooking oil to produce biodiesel and fatty acids, which in turn will be used for the manufacturing soaps. The facility is expected to collect and treat about 20,000 litres per day of used cooking oil from the hotels, restaurants and commercial kitchens across Abu Dhabi. The facility will also help protect the blockage of the sewage systems in Abu Dhabi by preventing drainage of used cooking oil into the sewage system. Both companies will be purchasing the used cooking oil from commercial establishments.
In 2017, 11 million tonnes of wastes were produced in Abu Dhabi, according to Tadweer and 30 per cent of the total wastes produced in Abu Dhabi are being recycled.
ismail@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi