Located near the Al Dhafra landfill, the $600 million facility will process 900,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste annually, generating 80 MW of electricity—enough to power 52,500 households. By reducing carbon emissions by 1.1 million tonnes annually (equivalent to removing 240,000 cars from the road), the project significantly contributes to the UAE’s goal of diverting 75% of waste from landfills.
The facility will be developed, financed, constructed, operated, and maintained by a consortium comprising Japan’s Marubeni Corporation, Switzerland’s Hitachi Zosen Inova (HZI), the Japan Overseas Infrastructure Investment Corporation (JOIN) and Tadweer.
Construction is expected to take three years, with commercial operations commencing in 2027 under a 30-year concession agreement.
Tribe Advisory’s Role
Tribe Advisory served as the lead and financial advisor to EWEC and Tadweer, guiding the project from inception to financial close over three years. As the first WtE project procured under the EWEC model and the first of its kind in Abu Dhabi, the facility represents a significant milestone in the region’s sustainability efforts.
Tribe’s role encompassed the entire project lifecycle, including business case development, stakeholder alignment, regulatory navigation, project structuring and financial feasibility, tender development and implementation. This marks Tribe’s third successful WtE transaction in the GCC, following on from Dubai and Sharjah, further solidifying its position as a leader in the sector.
Key contributions included:
- Business Case Development and Approvals:
- Developed the initial business case and secured government approvals to advance the project.
- Procurement Management:
- Directed the procurement process using the principles of Abu Dhabi’s Law No. 2 of 1998 (IPP Law), successfully adapting it for the WtE sector.
- In partnership with Ashurst, acting as legal advisor to the procurer, Tribe developed a bespoke ‘first of a kind’ contracting structure, whereby Tadweer and EWEC act as joint procurer, both entering into the Concession Agreement (on a joint and several basis) with the Project Company
- Managed the tendering process, including engagement with Developers and Investors.
- Stakeholder Coordination:
- Facilitated collaboration between EWEC, Tadweer, Transco, EAD, ADEO, Department of Finance and numerous bidding consortium, ensuring alignment with Abu Dhabi’s sustainability objectives.
- Award and Financial Close:
- Oversaw the bid assessment and award process, culminating in a successful financial close in July 2024.
- Secured investment for the project through a joint venture comprising Marubeni, HZI, and JOIN, with Tadweer holding a 60% government stake.
James Cook, CEO, Tribe Advisory
“The Abu Dhabi Waste-to-Energy project showcases Tribe’s expertise in guiding complex infrastructure initiatives to success. Through our focused advisory approach, we have ensured a seamless alignment of financial, technical, and environmental objectives.”
Pete McCreanor, CEO, Tribe Group
“This groundbreaking project reflects the power of strategic collaboration and innovation. Tribe is honored to have played a key role in delivering a solution that addresses Abu Dhabi’s waste management and clean energy goals while setting a benchmark for future WtE projects.”
Summary
The Abu Dhabi Waste-to-Energy facility marks a significant milestone in the UAE’s journey toward sustainability. By transitioning from landfills to incineration using advanced moving grate technology, the project aligns with the UAE’s goal of diverting 75% of waste from landfills. The facility will not only contribute to Abu Dhabi’s sustainability efforts but also serve as a model for future WtE initiatives in the GCC region.
About Tribe
Tribe Infrastructure Group (Tribe) is focused on realising national ambitions through innovative financing and development of critical infrastructure.
Headquartered at the Abu Dhabi and with offices in London, Riyadh, Manila and Sydney, Tribe operates as an independent and agile partner, strongly grounded in responsible value creation.
Tribe Advisory is the proprietary financial services arm of Tribe Infrastructure Group. Tribe Advisory holds a category 4 licence and is supervised and regulated by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority at the Abu Dhabi Global Market.
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