At the World Governments Summit 2024 in Dubai, stakeholders signed a unique waste-to-fuel agreement.
Dubai Municipality signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with N.V. Besix S.A., Marubeni Middle East and Africa Power Limited (MAMEA), and ENOC Marketing.
The MoU aims to transform waste management practices in Dubai through an innovative project. The process involves treating mixed solid municipal waste, organic waste, and green hydrogen (produced from sewage treatment processes). It is then used to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
Under the agreement, Dubai Municipality will supply a specific amount of municipal solid waste per day. This waste may include a combination of organic waste and green hydrogen.
Read: World’s first flight on 100 percent SAF takes off
Dawoud Al Hajri, Director General of Dubai Municipality, Saif Al Falasi, Group CEO at ENOC, Pierre Lembrechts of BESIX Middle East, and Wataru Ikushima from Marubeni Middle East and Africa Power Limited signed the deal.
Sustainability and leadership
Al Hajri asserted the collaboration will expedite carbon removal from the aviation sector.
“It will also assist in the waste management operations in Dubai, aligning with the strategic targets of the UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative, the UAE Circular Economy Policy 2021-2031, and the 2031 National Hydrogen Policy,” he said.
ENOC’s Al Falasi added: “As the UAE aims to supply 1 percent of fuel to national airlines at UAE airports using locally produced SAF by 2031, this milestone agreement with Dubai Municipality, Marubeni and BESIX brings us one step closer to producing SAF through innovative processes and the use of green energy. Through this partnership, we will work closely with Dubai Municipality and help transform sustainable feedstocks such as municipal solid waste and produce SAF at scale.”
