Saudi Arabia Waste to Energy Market Research Report: Forecast (2025-2030)

Market Definition

The process of generating energy in the form of electricity or heat through the combustion of waste is called Waste to Energy (WTE). It is implemented to cover two main components: sustainable waste management and clean, renewable power generation. Saudi Arabia is massively investing in renewable energy production to reduce their dependency on fossil fuel and oil and consequently manage waste disposal. Mostly, the energy generated is in the form of electricity or heat, or it produces a combustible fuel commodity, such as methane, methanol, ethanol, and synthetic fuels.

Market Insights & Analysis: Saudi Arabia Waste to Energy Market (2025-30):

The Saudi Arabia Waste to Energy Market size was valued at around USD 406.8 million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 568.94 million by 2030. Along with this, the market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 5.75% during the forecast period, i.e., 2025-30. The demand for such techniques is aided by the colossal amount of waste produced in the region due to surging population and rapid urbanization, further resulting in a rise in industrial and construction debris. In addition, the high urban population has also raised the requirement for higher power consumption needs, which are fulfilled by installing plants, thus leading to the application and expansion of the industry.

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Saudi Arabia’s governmental programs to reduce carbon emissions, extend economic strength, and more uniformly work towards effective waste management, increase the living standard, and produce sustainable energy in the form of electricity and heat are pushing towards the better installation of waste in energy plants. However, the emission of pollutants, ash, and other environmentally harmful particles could hamper the market enlargement.

Moreover, the generation of clean energy, efficient metal recycling, boiler design enhancements, reduction of landfills, domestic electricity-use cycle, and other benefits accelerate the installation of plants and propel the industry forward. Additionally, mergers and joint ventures among the key companies also help transform the market. For instance,

• In December 2022, Veolia Environment S.A. joined BEEAH Group and Masdar to operate and maintain the region’s first waste-to-energy plant.

Furthermore, thermal technologies like incineration, gasification, and pyrolysis are increasingly adopted in Saudi Arabia to manage rising municipal waste efficiently. Companies such as Hitachi Zosen Inova, Masdar, and Suez Environment are driving this shift. These solutions reduce landfill dependency, align with Vision 2030 goals, and offer space-efficient, eco-friendly energy recovery, accelerating market expansion in the coming years.

Saudi Arabia Waste to Energy Market Driver:

Massive Waste Generation Driving Market Demand – The application of waste to create renewable energy, which would otherwise end up in landfills, has been driving the industry. Surging population, rapid urbanization, and a rise in living standards have all exponentially accelerated waste generation. Thus, the waste-to-energy process solves the waste management issue, further utilizing it to create energy to power cities, elevating the industry. In addition, government-led sustainability initiatives, such as Vision 2030, and increasing investments in circular economy infrastructure are encouraging broader adoption of advanced waste treatment technologies.

Also, the advantages of sustainable energy generation and protecting the ecosystem from garbage landfills have collectively led to the faster installation of waste-to-energy plants in the country to maintain the cycle of waste generation & energy production, further positively affecting the Saudi Arabia Waste to Energy Market size & volume.

Saudi Arabia Waste to Energy Market Opportunity:

Government-Led Initiatives Foster Market Expansion – In recent years, the Saudi Arabian government’s initiatives or goals to support the country domestically and internationally in promoting the CCE framework, which allows emissions management while ensuring socio-economic development, have posed lucrative opportunities to the industry. The process provides both management and utilization of waste along with renewable energy generation. The climate protective aspect, with the reduction of waste and landfills, and the socio-economic impact of domestic energy generation, the national program proposes new avenues to expand the market all around. Additionally, this framework promotes innovation in clean energy technologies and supports a circular use of carbon across sectors such as utilities, petrochemicals, and manufacturing.

The growing involvement of private players, supported by favorable policies, tax incentives, and research collaborations, is further propelling the deployment of waste-to-energy solutions across the country, driving sustained market expansion.

Saudi Arabia Waste to Energy Market Challenge:

Emission of Hazardous Pollutants During the Process – Waste to Energy technologies produce pollutants, for instance, releasing tiny particles and ashes into the atmosphere or producing solid residue which may contain carbonaceous materials like carbon, tar, and digestate. Additionally, since the country’s conventional weather is already hot, the heat produced by the incinerators could not be utilized, leading to a loss of resources and excessive heat generation. Besides, the introduction of WTE plans has led to the abandonment of recycling and reuse plans for waste, leading to the production of dioxin, a cancer-forming chemical. Furthermore, every process produces different pollutants, harming the environment.

For instance, gasification releases heavy metals, tars, halogens, and alkaline compounds, damaging the environment. Also, insufficient filtration and air quality monitoring systems in some WTE plants can result in unregulated emissions. This raises concerns about respiratory health, especially in urban areas near incineration facilities, thereby sparking public opposition and restraining market expansion.

Saudi Arabia Waste to Energy Market Trend:

Thermal Waste to Energy Solutions Gaining Traction – Thermal technologies such as incineration, gasification, and pyrolysis are becoming more popular in Saudi Arabia’s waste-to-energy industry. This is because they can handle large amounts of mixed municipal waste without the need to separate it first.  For instance, Hitachi Zosen Inova (HZI), Masdar, and Suez Environment are some of the companies that are actively involved in providing thermal waste-to-energy (WtE) technologies.

As cities in Saudi Arabia grow, the amount of waste is also increasing. Thermal methods help manage this waste efficiently by converting it into energy. They also reduce the volume of waste by up to 90%, which helps decrease the need for landfills. This supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goal of reducing landfill use and producing cleaner energy.

These technologies are already well-developed and have been used successfully in many countries, making them reliable and safe. They are also suitable for the country’s environment and can be built in urban areas where space is limited. Therefore, the emerging trend of thermal waste-to-energy solutions is changing market dynamics and is projected to augment the size & volume of the industry in the country.

Saudi Arabia Waste to Energy Market (2025-30): Segmentation Analysis

The Saudi Arabia Waste to Energy Market study of MarkNtel Advisors evaluates & highlights the major trends and influencing factors in each segment. It includes predictions for the period 2025–2030 at the national level. Based on the analysis, the market has been further classified as:

Based on Technology:

• Thermal

• Biological
• Physical 

Of them all, Thermal Technology is anticipated to secure the largest market share in the forecast years, aided by faster and more efficient energy production. Besides, the rising installation of thermal incineration-based waste-to-energy in the country to tackle and utilize the massive amount of waste produced in the area creates new opportunities for the industry.

In addition, the process of incineration and thermal techniques can handle all types of waste, including organic materials, and requires a low level of technology and human resource skills, thus complementing the mass-produced garbage. The process consists of burning the gases to turn the turbine for electricity generation, and the gases undergo filtration and treatment with lime to control pollutant release during the procedure. The production of renewable energy and the treatment of different types of waste offer further growth for the industry in the country.

Based on Waste Type:

• Municipal Waste 
• Agricultural Waste 
• Others (Process Waste, Medical Waste, etc.)

Among all the above, Municipal Waste has acquired the lion’s share in the market during the historical period. It is expected to continue to prevail in the same trend during the forecasting period. The expansion is attributed to a large amount of municipal waste accumulation in the country, especially with the surging industrialization and urbanization. Likewise, the development and rise in living standards have accelerated waste generation exponentially, opening growth avenues for the industry.

The waste-to-energy process aims to distribute the recyclable and non-recyclable waste separately, to utilize the non-recyclable waste to produce and power electricity for the region, which would otherwise end up in a landfill. Again, the incineration of garbage would produce steam, which would then be converted into electricity, expanding the share of this segment in the Waste to Energy Industry of the country.

Saudi Arabia Waste to Energy Industry Recent Development:

• December 2024: A memorandum of understanding is signed by Veolia and the Saudi Investment Recycling Company to establish the regional waste treatment champion.

Gain a Competitive Edge with Our Saudi Arabia Waste to Energy Market Report

1. Saudi Arabia Waste to Energy Market Report by MarkNtel Advisors provides a detailed & thorough analysis of market size & share, growth rate, competitive landscape, and key players. This comprehensive analysis helps businesses gain a holistic understanding of the market dynamics & make informed decisions.
2. This report also highlights current market trends & future projections, allowing businesses to identify emerging opportunities & potential challenges. By understanding market forecasts, companies can align their strategies & stay ahead of the competition.
3. Saudi Arabia Waste to Energy Market Report aids in assessing & mitigating risks associated with entering or operating in the market. By understanding market dynamics, regulatory frameworks, and potential challenges, businesses can develop strategies to minimize risks & optimize their operations.

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