The first Waste-to-Energy power plant in Egypt
A new industry that turns Giza's waste problem into long-term, competitive baseload electricity, replacing LNG-fired gas power one-for-one and saving the state budget on every kilowatt-hour.
- 1,200 tmunicipal waste processed per day
- 30–35 MWbaseload export to the 66 kV grid
- USD 140 Mforeign direct investment
- 25 yearsDBOOT concession and PPA
- 45,000 m²project land, handed over
Converting a waste problem into a long-term, competitive electricity solution for Egypt.
In April 2023 Renergy Egypt signed the first 25-year Waste-to-Energy (WtE) concession agreement in Egypt, for the Giza project, under a Design, Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (DBOOT) structure.
The plant at Abu Rawash will take 1,200 tonnes of Giza's municipal solid waste every day and convert it into 30–35 MW of renewable baseload electricity. Because the plant runs around the clock with high availability, it can replace gas power plants one-for-one, cutting LNG imports and delivering a direct saving on the cost of electricity production.
From concession to construction start
The project sponsor, Green Tech Europe BV, through its subsidiary Green Tech Egypt, has invested more than USD 5 million in project development to fulfil all contract obligations.
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April 2023Completed
First WtE concession agreement in Egypt signed
A 25-year DBOOT concession for the Giza project, including the land concession.
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2023 – 2025Completed
Full project development
The consortium completed the detailed facility design and the technical and financial feasibility study. The work included:
- Design of the power plant and accommodation
- Long-term temperature study at the site
- Waste characterisation studies
- All permits and approvals, including the environmental impact assessment approval
- Concession agreement with land concession, and the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the electricity distribution company (EDC)
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2025Completed
EPC contract awarded to JSDPI (CEEC)
After an intensive market check, Renergy awarded the turnkey EPC contract to JSDPI, part of China Energy Engineering Corporation (CEEC). The contract includes bankable performance guarantees over 25 years, a 2-year warranty and an optional O&M contract.
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2025Completed
Site preparation started
The project land was fully cleaned and levelled, two groundwater wells were drilled up to 150 metres deep for the plant's water supply, and all gates and exit roads were built. See the site photos.
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December 2025Completed
Grid connection approved
The Prime Minister's Cabinet approved the connection to the 66 kV high-voltage grid, securing power offtake at full load of 30–35 MW.
Ready to build, waiting for a bankable tariff
The devaluation of the Egyptian pound in 2023, from about 15 to about 50 EGP per USD, cut the USD value of the WtE tariff set by Decree 41/2019 almost in half. At that level the project was no longer bankable, and banks and investors could not step in.
Renergy requested a new bankable tariff in 2023, restoring the 2020 value. A new WtE feed-in tariff decree was issued in November 2025 as one of the reforms required for the EU loan programme, but it did not meet expectations, and banks and investors are not able to proceed on it.
In December 2025 Renergy submitted a request to the Waste Management Regulatory Agency (WMRA) for a bankable contract amendment, so that banks and investors can join and the first WtE project can reach financial close.
After approval, our financial advisor Synergy Consultancy will close the funding with banks and investors. The path to operation:
- PM approvalBankable contract amendment
- 9 monthsFinancial close with banks and investors
- 3 monthsFEED and final engineering
- 24 monthsGuaranteed EPC construction
Key benefits of WtE power plants for Egypt
Abu Rawash is the first of eight projects in a 300 MW first phase. The figures below show what that phase can deliver.
State budget & investment 01
- Foreign investment
- Abu Rawash represents USD 140 million of foreign investment. The full 300 MW first phase represents about USD 1.4 billion.
- About 30% cheaper than LNG-fired power
- WtE plants produce baseload electricity well below the cost of gas plants running on LNG (more than 12 USD cents/kWh), and can replace them one-for-one thanks to high availability.
- Direct yearly state budget saving
- At 12 USD cents/kWh for LNG-based power against a WtE tariff of 7.7 cents, Phase 1 saves about USD 100 million per year across the first eight projects, and USD 10 million per year for Abu Rawash alone.
- No Waste Fund contribution needed
- Because the WtE tariff is already competitive with gas power, the Ministry of Finance saves its 3.3 USD cents/kWh contribution to the Waste Fund: about USD 81 million per year for Phase 1.
Energy security & the grid 02
- Energy security
- Long-term, locally produced renewable energy at a secure, competitive price, independent of LNG imports.
- Direct LNG import saving
- Phase 1 produces about 2.5 TWh per year, saving an estimated 17.5 million MMBtu of LNG (USD 245 million at 14 USD/MMBtu). Abu Rawash alone saves 50 million m³ of natural gas, about 1.85 million MMBtu a year.
- Grid stability
- As a baseload source, WtE replaces gas plants in the shift to renewables and stabilises the grid against the variability of solar and wind.
- Grid capacity
- Based on available waste volumes, WtE plants could supply about 4% of Egypt's electricity demand.
Waste & environment 03
- A long-term solution
- Addresses Egypt's growing waste problem of 30 million tonnes per year.
- Highest value per tonne
- WtE plants bring four times more value per tonne of waste than Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT) facilities, with 20% less landfilling.
- Savings on landfilling
- Large savings on landfill costs and preservation of land.
Industry & policy 04
- DBOOT structure
- De-risks the project for the government and secures 25 years of operation at a predictable price.
- A new industry, 30% local content
- Long-term technology and knowledge transfer, job creation and a boost to the local economy.
- EU funding alignment
- Supports the EU direction on WtE and access to the EUR 4 billion EU macro-financial assistance programme. Progress on waste and energy regulation, including WtE decrees aligned with EU circular-economy goals, is a structural condition for releasing its tranches.
- Vision 2030
- Consistent with Egypt's goals to raise the share of renewable energy and secure local energy supply.
One feed-in tariff, two sources
Project revenue comes from a feed-in tariff defined in the PPA. The bankable tariff requested in the contract amendment is 7.7 USD cents/kWh, set in EGP and pegged to the USD.
Abu Rawash, close to Greater Cairo's population centres
The plot lies in one of the most densely populated areas of Egypt, with around 7,000 tonnes of waste produced per day in its vicinity, and direct access to the main road.
- 45,000 m²project land with approved gate access to the main road
- 20,000 m²adjacent laydown area for construction
- Handed overcleaned and levelled, ready for the EPC contractor
- 2 wellsgroundwater wells built and in operation
Start of the civil works
The site has been cleared and levelled, the boundary wall and gates are in place, and two groundwater wells up to 150 metres deep supply water to the plant.
A first for Egypt, a proven process worldwide
Several thousand WtE plants operate globally, including more than 1,000 in China. The technology and equipment for Abu Rawash come from experienced, reputable parties.
- EPC contractorJSDPI / CEECChina Energy Engineering Corporation. Turnkey delivery with 25-year performance guarantees.
- Equipment manufacturerChongqing Sanfeng Environment GroupLong-term partner of Renergy. Supported feasibility and development, and reviewed the preliminary design.
- Technology licensorMartin GmbH, MunichGerman WtE specialist. Its technology runs in more than 200 plants in China built by Sanfeng.
The equipment will be manufactured in China by Sanfeng, as defined in the EPC documents agreed with CEEC. Renergy has visited and reviewed Sanfeng's factories.
Sanfeng manufactures the WtE equipment under licence and in partnership with Martin GmbH, a German engineering company specialising in waste-to-energy technology and services.
Sanfeng is available to provide training and technical support for operating the facility. It runs online remote monitoring for more than 300 plants worldwide using this technology. Abu Rawash will join that monitoring portfolio, giving continuous feedback on operating performance and improvements.
Feedstock from two Giza transfer stations
Waste will come from the existing transfer stations in El-Warraq and Kerdasa, both within 25 km of the site, with good access and the best waste quality.
- Up to 2,400 tonnes of waste per day are available, almost twice the plant's capacity.
- The plant's 1,200 tonnes per day mean around 120 truck deliveries, 24/7.
- A full waste characterisation study has been completed.
- Today this waste goes to the Shabramant landfill south of the city. The landfill has no further permits to expand, and Giza Governorate is working to reduce the waste sent there.
From waste bunker to the 66 kV grid
Energy is generated by combustion of the municipal solid waste. Solid and gaseous combustion products are treated to meet environmental standards before discharge.
- ReceptionTrucks unload into the waste pit inside a semi-underground, closed bunker building. Negative pressure keeps odours from escaping.
- DryingWaste stays in the bunker for at least five days to dry, before a crane feeds it into the hopper.
- Combustion on the grateThe combustible fraction burns completely. Ash and slag fall through the grate into the slag extractor and bunker, where they are stabilised.
- Power generationHeat from combustion raises steam for the turbine-generator, exporting 30–35 MW to the grid.
- Flue gas cleaningEnvironmental controls treat the flue gas before discharge through the stack.
Aiming for zero waste
The plant will produce about 150 tonnes of ash and slag per day of operation. The goal is to have zero waste streams during operation.
Options being explored
- Ash as filler material in concrete blocks and street tiles. Arabic Cement Factories has already expressed interest in buying the ash, reducing its CO₂ emissions.
- Slag for water filtering.
- An RDF HTP module producing syngas that is fed back into the WtE process, for a higher overall output and efficiency.
These options will be finalised before operation. The extra revenue they bring is expected to cover the investment they require.
Until processing is in place, ash and slag can go to the landfill about 28 km from the site, which today receives the waste from El-Warraq and Kerdasa. That needs about 6 truckloads per day, already included in the project's operating costs. Volumes going to landfill will still fall sharply.
Development complete, EPC starts at financial close
The EPC phase starts as soon as financing closes and runs on a guaranteed 24-month schedule.
- NTP1: final designNTP1 is expected in Q4 2027, subject to the required approvals and funding. Funded from equity through the down payment, the final design works include soil studies and final engineering drawings for the full EPC phase, on an agreed two-month schedule.
- NTP2: constructionIssued after financial close. Completion within 24 months is guaranteed under the EPC contract, with liquidated damages payable by the contractor for any delay, giving lenders comfort on the schedule.
- Taking over and operationCommissioning, hand-over and 25 years of operation: feedstock supply, power export and revenue generation.
Abu Rawash WtE Plant
The first waste-to-energy power plant in Egypt. 1,200 t/day, 30–35 MW, Giza Governorate.
Developer
Renergy Egypt
Project sponsor
Green Tech Europe BV, through Green Tech Egypt
Partners
EPC: JSDPI / CEEC
Equipment: Sanfeng
Technology: Martin GmbH
Financial advisor: Synergy Consultancy