Masdar, a global leader in clean energy and green hydrogen, has partnered with Tadweer Group to advance the development of Abu Dhabi’s first commercial-scale Waste-to-Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) project. The companies announced the signing of a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) aimed at positioning the emirate as a regional hub for low-carbon aviation fuels.
The proposed facility will process around 500,000 tons of waste annually to produce SAF, utilizing a hybrid production pathway. The system will integrate renewable energy-powered electrolysis to generate green hydrogen with waste gasification, converting syngas into SAF through established chemical processes.
Masdar CEO Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi emphasized the strategic importance of the initiative, stating that it will accelerate the UAE’s clean energy transition and reinforce its leadership in sustainable aviation.
He said the project would support a sector “critical to the nation’s economic development” while driving decarbonization and delivering tangible emissions reduction.
Tadweer Group Managing Director and CEO Ali Al Dhaheri highlighted the project as a key milestone in reimagining waste as a valuable resource.
He noted that the partnership showcases how waste can be transformed into a vital clean-energy product, advancing the UAE’s Net Zero ambitions and setting a global benchmark for sustainable innovation.
Once operational, the facility is expected to serve multiple international markets, strengthening Abu Dhabi’s role as a regional SAF hub. The aviation sector contributed over 18% of the UAE’s GDP in 2023, according to IATA, and SAF has the potential to reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional jet fuel.
The project also aligns with several national priorities, including the UAE General Policy for SAF, Abu Dhabi’s Low-Carbon Hydrogen Policy, the National Hydrogen Strategy, and the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative. It further supports Tadweer Group’s goal of diverting 80% of waste from landfills by 2030, while building new value chains in waste management, green hydrogen, and renewable fuels.
By integrating Masdar’s renewable energy expertise with Tadweer Group’s waste valorization capabilities, the initiative aims to cement the UAE’s position as a pioneer in clean energy innovation and low-carbon fuel production.
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