Dubai’s Tadweer showcases breakthrough in waste-to-energy project

Dubai: Dubai’s efforts to turn waste into a renewable energy source took Centre stage during a visit by Eng. Marwan bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality, to Tadweer, one of the emirate’s leading waste management facilities.

The highlight of the visit was Tadweer’s pilot biogas facility, which demonstrates how organic waste can be transformed into clean, renewable energy, a pivotal step in reducing landfill use and supporting the UAE’s clean energy and circular economy targets.

Eng. Marwan, accompanied by senior officials from Dubai Municipality, toured the site and was briefed on the biogas system, which is designed to harness the energy potential of food and organic waste , turning a major environmental challenge into a source of power.

Biogas project

Eng. Marwan bin Ghalita said: “The biogas project is a model of how innovation and environmental responsibility can work hand-in-hand. Dubai continues to lead in integrated waste management by leveraging cutting-edge technology and strategic partnerships to build a future rooted in sustainability and energy resilience.”

Hosted by Eng. Faris Saeed, CEO of Tadweer and Chairman of SEE Holding, the visit also included insights into Tadweer’s broader waste processing operations. Since its inception, the facility has diverted over 5.2 million tons of municipal solid waste from landfills and produced more than 90,000 tons of organic compost for use in agriculture and landscaping.

The biogas plant, currently in its pilot phase, stands as a practical demonstration of how local waste can be converted into local energy, advancing Dubai’s Integrated Waste Management Strategy 2021—2041 and aligning with the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050.

Redefining waste management

“Our biogas initiative proves that waste is not an end, but a beginning,” said Eng. Faris Saeed.

“With continued collaboration from Dubai Municipality, we are redefining how cities manage waste, turning organic matter into energy and innovation into action,” he added.

In addition to its operational achievements, Tadweer has made sustainability education a priority, delivering over 1,200 awareness programs to more than 30,000 students across the UAE. This initiative supports the long-term vision of embedding circular economy values in future generations.

As Dubai moves toward a zero-waste future, projects like Tadweer’s waste-to-energy initiative serve as critical infrastructure, positioning the emirate as a global model for sustainable urban development and energy-efficient waste solutions.