Saudi Arabia Waste to Energy Market Research Report: Forecast (2023-2028)

Market Definition

The process of generation of 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 consecutively 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 (2023-28)

The Saudi Arabia Waste to Energy Market is projected to grow at an exponential CAGR during the forecast period, i.e., 2023-28. 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, getting fulfilled by installing plants, thus leading to the application and expansion of the industry.

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 harming 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 accelerates the installation of plants and propagates 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.

Market Dynamics

Key Driver: Massive Waste Production Resulting in Gigantic Landfills

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, waste to energy process solves the waste management issue, further utilizing it to create energy to power cities, elevating the industry. 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, beneficially fueling industrial expansion, further positively affecting the Saudi Arabia Waste to Energy Market size.

Possible Restraint: Emission of Hazardous Pollutants During the Process

Waste to Energy technologies produces 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 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 and further restraining market expansion.

Growth Opportunity: Saudi Arabia’s Circular Carbon Economy National Program

Saudi Arabia’s goal to support the country domestically and internationally in promoting the CCE framework, which allows emissions management while ensuring socio-economic development, poses 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.  

Market Segmentation

Based on Technology

• Thermal

• Incineration
• Pyrolysis
• Gasification

• 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 plants in the country to tackle and utilize the massive amount of waste produced in the area propagates new opportunities for the industry.

In addition, the process of incineration and thermal technique 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 undergoing filtration and treatment with lime to control pollutant release during the procedure. The production of renewable energy and treatment of different types of waste offers a further elevation of the industry.

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 attributes 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 get converted into electricity, expanding the market in the future.

Recent Developments in the Saudi Arabia Waste to Energy Market

• In January 2023, Babcock & Wilcox were awarded contracts totaling USD14 million to provide highly efficient cooling systems for the UK waste-to-energy plants.
• In December 2022, Suez Environnement Company announced that it had completed the acquisition from Veolia Environment S.A. of its former waste management assets in the UK.

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

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.
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