Dubai Municipality’s pipeline of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects has surpassed 32 billion UAE dirhams ($8.7 billion), according to Ahmad Al-Sabbah, Investment & PPP Expert at Dubai Municipality. Speaking at the PPP MENA forum in Dubai, he outlined the 15 initiatives currently underway, focusing on water and sewerage, waste management, and public facilities, of which two have already been completed.
The largest project in the lineup is the AED 25 billion ($6.8 billion) Dubai Strategic Sewerage Tunnel (DSST), with the first package expected to be awarded by the end of 2025.
Key Projects in the Pipeline
- Jebel Ali Sewage Treatment Plant – Phase 3: Valued at AED 1.5 billion ($408 million), this project aims to increase the plant’s capacity by 375,000 cubic meters per day (m³/day) and is expected to finalize by the end of 2026.
- Organic and Sludge Waste Treatment Facility: With an estimated investment of AED 700 million ($191 million), this facility will process organic and agricultural waste and aims for contract signing by the end of 2025.
- Hatta Sewerage, Storm Water, and Recycled Water Systems: This AED 1 billion ($272 million) project will expand existing services and is slated for contract signing in 2025.
- Engineered Landfill for General Waste: Estimated at AED 500 million ($136 million), this project is currently in the feasibility study stage with targeted contract signing by the end of 2025.
- Engineered Centre for Construction and Demolition Waste: Valued at AED 2.3 billion ($626 million), this project is in the planning stage, with details on its PPP model and construction timeline yet to be determined.
- Engineered Hazardous Waste Treatment Centre: The AED 50 million ($14 million) center in Jebel Ali is in the implementation stage and involves the construction of a double-lined landfill for hazardous waste.
- Recyclable Material Recovery Facility: This AED 345 million ($94 million) project, aimed at recycling non-inert waste, is currently in the planning stage with a target for contract signing by the end of 2025.
- Medical Waste Incinerator: The AED 500 million ($136 million) incinerator is in the procurement stage and will focus on thermal processing of medical waste, with contract signing expected this year.
- Al Qusais Landfill Gas Treatment Facility: This AED 50 million ($14 million) project is in the feasibility study stage, with contract signing scheduled for 2025.
- Dubai RV Parks: This recreational area project is in the planning stage, targeting a contract signing by the end of 2025 under a BOT framework.
- Warsan Waste Management Centre: The AED 4.2 billion ($1.1 billion) waste-to-energy plant is operational, with its first year of operations yielding promising results.
- Solar Dryer Project: Completed two years ago, this project involves a sewage sludge drying plant valued at AED 43 million ($12 million), with a concession period of 12 years.