Abu Dhabi to convert half of household waste to electricity by end of 2026

Abu Dhabi is moving closer to converting household waste into electricity, with the Al Bihouth Waste-to-Energy Facility reaching 90 per cent construction completion. The facility is expected to begin commissioning within weeks and aims to support the emirate’s waste management and clean energy goals by the end of 2026.

Al Bihouth Facility to Process 900,000 Tonnes of Waste Annually

Once operational, the Al Bihouth facility is expected to process approximately 900,000 tonnes of waste annually and generate enough electricity to power around 52,000 homes.

The project represents a significant step towards reducing landfill waste and expanding the use of waste-to-energy technology across Abu Dhabi.

Abu Dhabi Targets 80% Waste Diversion by 2031

Tadweer Group diverted 37.7 per cent of Abu Dhabi’s waste from landfills in 2025. The emirate aims to increase this figure to 80 per cent by 2031.

The Al Bihouth facility is expected to play an important role in achieving this target by converting large volumes of waste into a useful energy source.

Alongside the construction update, Tadweer Group announced two additional achievements:

Successful pressure testing of both facility boilers.

Six million working hours completed without a lost-time injury.

The milestones were marked at a ceremony attended by Arthur Mattli, Switzerland’s Ambassador to the UAE, and Ken Okaniwa, Japan’s Ambassador to the UAE, alongside project shareholders and stakeholders.

International Partnerships Support the Project

The facility's shareholders include Tadweer Group, Japan's Marubeni Corporation, Switzerland-based Kanadevia Inova, and the Japan Overseas Infrastructure Investment Corporation for Transport and Urban Development.

These partnerships bring together international expertise in infrastructure, engineering, and waste-to-energy technology.

Stefan Kipp, Chief Executive Officer of Al Bihouth Waste-to-Energy Facility, highlighted the project's safety record and the importance of coordination among partners as the facility prepares for operations.

Roni Araiji, Country President for the UAE at Kanadevia Inova, described the successful boiler tests as a key engineering milestone. He also highlighted the project's contribution to Abu Dhabi's transition towards a circular economy.

Etienne Petit, Chief Executive Officer of Tadweer Group, emphasised that the project's long-term value extends beyond construction, focusing on reliable infrastructure and the safety of the people involved.

Tadweer Group, part of L'IMAD Holding, is Abu Dhabi's sole custodian of waste management. The Al Bihouth facility is expected to strengthen the emirate's waste processing capacity, reduce reliance on landfills, and contribute to electricity generation as Abu Dhabi works towards its 2031 sustainability targets.