Seven JBIC “Global South” Projects
Two challenges confront Dubai: an increasing shortage of landfill sites to bury waste and dependence on gas-fired power generation. TAKEUCHI Kanae speaks about the waste-to-energy solution that was presented.
Warsan waste-to-energy plant to be Dubai’s first
Covering the process from construction to operation and sale of electricity for one of the world’s largest plants of its kind
Unlike Japan, waste disposal through landfill is the norm in many parts of the world. Dubai, of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), buries almost all of its waste as well, but it was concerned about the increasing scarcity of landfill sites. Heavily dependent on gas-fired power generation, there was also a strong need to diversify its electricity mix. A “waste-to-energy” solution could resolve both these issues.
“ITOCHU Corporation and Hitachi Zosen Corporation (now Kanadevia), the two key players in this project, have abundant experience in waste treatment and power generation overseas,” says TAKEUCHI Kanae, who was in charge of this agreement at Division 4 of the Social Infrastructure Finance Department. “As JBIC wants to support the overseas rollout of Japan’s advanced infrastructure technologies, I believe this was a truly significant project that will become a model for future cases.”
In March 2021, a loan agreement for project financing for up to approximately USD452 million (JBIC portion) was signed for one of the world’s largest waste treatment and power generation plants, located in Warsan. The project covers all aspects from its construction to operations, management, and sales. The plant will be able to treat as much as 45 percent of Dubai’s total waste.
According to TAKEUCHI, “Various factors affect the stability of the power supply and the profitability of the business. This includes whether sufficient volume of waste can be collected, and separated well enough to make it suitable for incineration.” While acknowledging such business risks, this is another project that is being promoted to support the Global South.
Deputy Director, Division 4
Social Infrastructure Finance Department
Infrastructure and Environment Finance Group (at that time)
TAKEUCHI Kanae
Joined the bank in 2010. Following assignments including project structuring for the automobile and petrochemical sector, and overseas assignments, she assumed her current position in charge of loans for electric power and social infrastructure. Graduated from the University of Tokyo, Faculty of Law.
