Bee’ah to launch Middle East’s first solar energy landfill project in Sharjah

Sharjah-based waste management company Bee’ah has said that it will convert 47 hectares of Al Saja’a landfill area in Sharjah into a solar energy facility once the landfill is capped.

The project, the first of its kind within the Middle East, will be able to generate over 42 megawatts of energy per year.

In the first phase, 270,565 square metres of the landfill will be converted into a solar area with a projected output of 24 megawatts.

The second phase, will then convert an additional 200,099 square metres into a solar generation area to produce another 16 megawatts.

As part of Bee’ah’s #ZeroWaste strategy for Sharjah, we are repurposing our #landfill in Al Saja’a into a solar energy plant, the first of its kind in the region. pic.twitter.com/vyaJDBZAxS

— Bee’ah (@BeeahUAE) July 27, 2020

The company will also build an innovation and learning centre, near the new solar farm, to educate visitors on environmental causes and renewable energy projects that are a part of the UAE’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

“The UAE has made great strides in the development of renewable energy projects, and Bee’ah is keen to continuing furthering its progress. This new landfill solar project is a remarkable landmark achievement for Bee’ah, as we continue to push boundaries of both waste management and clean energy as part of our overarching mission for sustainability,” said Salim Al Owais, chairman of Bee’ah.

Landfills are typically unproductive areas and require extensive remedial measures over periods as long as 30 years before they can be redeveloped.

“Bee’ah aims to make environmental sustainability a reality, and this investment to rejuvenate the Al Saja’a landfill for long-term solar infrastructure will help Sharjah attain its renewable energy targets, and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. Our new solar plant project will help fuel the energy requirements for the Emirate, while showcasing how innovation can be utilised to continuously improve the quality of life for communities,” said Khaled Al Huraimel, group CEO of Bee’ah.

Sharjah diverts 76 per cent of its waste from landfills, and is targeting 100 per cent with the launch of the Sharjah Waste to Energy Facility in 2021 by the Bee’ah-Masdar joint venture, Emirates Waste to Energy Company.

Read: Abu Dhabi’s Masdar, Sharjah’s Bee’ah form waste-to-energy plant joint venture

The Sharjah Waste to Energy Facility can process 300,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste to generate 30 megawatts of electricity.

Bee’ah is aiming for a zero-waste strategy. After waste is transferred to Bee’ah’s Waste Management Complex, its recycling facilities recover recyclable and valuable waste.

These facilities include the Material Recovery Facility, Tyre Recycling Facility, Construction & Demolition Recycling Facility, Car & Metal Shredding Facility, Industrial Waste Water Plant, Biomass Facility and Alternative Raw Materials Facility.

Earlier this month, Bee’ah launched its new biomass facility which will process 200 tonnes of cellulose and carbon-based waste daily.

Read: Sharjah’s Bee’ah launches new biomass facility

The UAE has said that is targeting for at least 50 per cent of its energy to come from sustainable sources by 2050. In the near-term, the UAE is aiming to ensure that 24 per cent of its energy comes from renewable sources by 2021.

Earlier this week, the Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) awarded the contract for the 2GW Al Dhafra Solar Photovoltaic (PV) project to a consortium led by Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) and Masdar.

Read: Abu Dhabi’s EWEC awards contract for ‘world’s largest’ solar power plant

The solar power plant in Abu Dhabi – set to be the world’s largest when operational – will produce electricity at  a cost-competitive tariffs for solar PV energy of Dhs4.97 fils/kWh.