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Salalah Project

Salalah, Oman

2019 - Ongoing
LandfillRecyclingRenewable EnergyWaste Management

Project Description

Approach Words: Comprehensive Management, Sustainability, Urban Resilience

Public Policy Instruments: Financial Mechanism, Planning, Regulatory

The Salalah Waste-to-Energy (WtE) project is a strategic waste management initiative located in Salalah, Dhofar in Oman.1 The project aims to convert municipal solid waste into usable energy while aligning Oman’s environmental sustainability goals.2 It directly supports Oman Environmental Services Holding Company’s (Be’ah) target of diverting up to 80% of solid waste away from landfills into recycling and energy-from-waste by 2030.3
Its vision is “to revolutionize waste management in the Dhofar region” by promoting a circular economy and reducing landfill dependency.4

Title: Salalah WtE Plant.

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Title: Salalah WtE Plant for RDF industry.

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Title: Signing of cooperation agreement with Raysut Cement Group Cement Company and the German firm MVW Lechtenberg & Partner.

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Title: Inside the Salalah facility where non-recyclable waste is transformed into RDF

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The Salalah facility is designed to both sort recyclables materials and convert non-recyclables into energy;5 core strategies include:

  • Waste Processing and Diversion: Reducing landfill dependency by processing approximately 1,500 tonnes of waste daily, including household, bulky, and organic waste.6 7
  • Alternative Energy Production: Generating RDF from non-recyclables to replace fossil fuels in cement production and industrial applications.8 9
  • Resource Recovery: Producing high-quality compost from organic waste for soil fertility improvement and agriculture support.10

To support these strategies, the plant uses combustion technology to generate approximately 130–140 MW of electricity. It will process refuse-derived fuel (RDF) from solid waste, with an estimated fuel demand of 600–1,000 tonnes per annum.11 Further, the heat produced will supplement the high-pressure steam needs of an undisclosed petrochemical plant, effectively replace natural gas combustion and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.12
The project is guided by principles of sustainability, innovation, and environmental responsibility. By integrating waste management with energy production, the project aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support Oman’s transition toward a circular economy.13 14 RDF production provides a cost-effective alternative fuel for the cement industry, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.15 Additionally, composting organic waste enhances soil fertility,16 while improved waste management minimizes pollution, benefiting local communities and contributing to national climate change mitigation efforts.17

Consultant/Designer

MVW Lechtenberg & Partner29

Contractor/Implementer

Raysut Cement Company30

Contractor/Implementer

Raysut Cement Company30

Consultant/Designer

MVW Lechtenberg & Partner29

The project was led by Be’ah18 in collaboration with MVW Lechtenberg & Partner, a German consulting firm specializing in alternative fuels and waste management,19 and Raysut Cement company, Oman’s largest cement manufacturer, integrating RDF into its production processes.20 21 A memorandum of cooperation was signed in 2025 to assess the ongoing feasibility of Oman’s RDF production,22 establishing foundation for a sustainable business model that benefits all stakeholders and supports alternative energy in heavy industries.23
The implementation timeline is dependent on study outcomes and stakeholder agreements.24 25
Salalah project represents a transformative step in Oman’s waste management sector, reinforcing the Sultanate’s commitment to sustainability and positioning it as a leader in adopting innovative and eco-friendly solutions.26 27

Project Link, Endnotes and References

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