Dubai aims to eliminate landfill sites by 2041, says energy council

Dubai aims to eliminate landfill sites in the next 15 years as it advances the waste-to-energy initiatives for clean energy.

This was revealed following the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy meeting, which reviewed 2025 clean energy progress and performance outcomes.

A statement issued by the council said that it discussed the operational performance of the Waste-to-Energy Centre in Warsan, where more than 4.5 million tonnes of waste have been processed, with 62 percent diverted from landfill in line with the emirate’s goal of eliminating landfill sites by 2041.

The second phase to expand the plant’s waste processing capacity will be launched later this year to further increase waste conversion for energy generation.

The 92nd meeting of the council was chaired by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of the council, and its other senior officials, including its vice-chairman Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer and secretary-general Ahmed Buti Al Muhairbi.

Al Tayer said the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy continues to consolidate Dubai’s position as a leading global model for sustainability and clean energy.

“We reviewed several strategic themes related to accelerating carbon emission reduction and enhancing the efficiency of the emirate’s energy sector. The council assesses the annual performance of programs and projects and introduces new elements to ensure continuous development while documenting implementation phases in the coming years. Our governance framework provides advanced mechanisms to achieve strategic clean energy objectives, manage resources, promote green mobility, and reduce carbon emissions,” he said.

Al Muhairbi said they are deploying the latest technologies to enhance waste treatment and reuse within a comprehensive strategy based on circular economy principles and private sector participation in implementing government projects.

In addition, Marwan bin Ghalita, director-general of Dubai Municipality; Abdulla bin Kalban, managing director of Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA); Hussain Lootah, CEO of Emirates National Oil Company (Enoc); Juan-Pablo Freile, general manager of Dubai Petroleum and Dubai Supply Authority; and Muna Alosaimi, CEO of the Strategy and Corporate Governance Sector at the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), also attended the meeting.