Abu Dhabi-based Taqa, the global energy company, has invited companies to submit qualifications ahead of tendering the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the UAE’s first waste-to-energy plant.

The waste-to-energy power plant will receive approximately 1,000,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste a year and convert it into 100 megawatts of alternative power, enough energy to power more than 20,000 households in Abu Dhabi. The plant is expected to begin operations in 2016/17.

Waste-to-energy is one of the cleanest sources of energy and one of the most efficient ways to treat municipal solid waste. Taqa’s waste-to-energy facility is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by more than 1,000,000 tonnes per year when both the avoided landfill emissions and the avoided use of fossil fuel in power generation are taken into account.

The request for qualifications follows the completion of the pre-feasibility study and Memorandum of Understanding signed in June 2012 with The Centre of Waste Management Abu Dhabi for the joint development of the facility. Taqa expects to award the EPC contract in the fourth quarter of 2013.

Dr Saif Al Sayari, executive officer and head of the Energy Solutions division, said: “Our track record in developing and operating power plants across the world, combined with our international relationships with joint venture partners and financial institutions, positions us well to lead the development of this pioneering project. We see this as a launch pad for future waste-to-energy projects in the region and for Taqa to be the pre-eminent developer and operator.”

“The development of sustainable energy and waste infrastructure technologies, as well as diversion of waste from landfills, are goals identified in the Abu Dhabi Plan 2030. We are proud to work alongside the Government of Abu Dhabi and The Centre of Waste Management Abu Dhabi to provide a solution to the increasing volume of waste produced each year in the capital.”

Taqa has appointed Roger Anderson as technical manager for Taqa’s waste-to-energy plant. Anderson has nearly 40 years’ experience at Wheelabrator, a leading global waste-to-energy developer.

Taqa has also appointed Ramboll Group A/S to advise on engineering and WS Atkins PLC to advise on environmental permitting and waste characterisation. HSBC has been selected as financial advisor while Linklaters has been appointed legal advisor – TradeArabia News Service