The plant, to be located in Abu Dhabi, will convert approximately 500,000 tonnes of waste into SAF each year
Masdar and Tadweer Group on Thursday signed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) to advance the UAE’s first commercial-scale Waste-to-Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) project, a milestone initiative that will position Abu Dhabi at the forefront of global low-carbon fuel production.
The plant, to be located in Abu Dhabi, will convert approximately 500,000 tonnes of waste into SAF each year. It will use a hybrid production pathway that combines renewable energy-powered electrolysis to generate green hydrogen with waste gasification processes that convert syngas into aviation-grade fuel through established chemical conversion technologies.
Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, said the project underscores the company’s commitment to accelerating the global energy transition and delivering market-ready decarbonisation solutions.
“Masdar is committed to accelerating the global energy transformation through partnerships and delivering innovative solutions that meet customer needs,” he said. “This project will advance the UAE’s leadership in sustainable aviation, supporting the growth of a sector critical to the nation’s economic development, while driving its decarbonisation.”
Ali Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Tadweer Group, described the agreement as a significant step forward in turning waste into a strategic asset. “This agreement marks a pivotal step in Tadweer Group’s mission to unlock waste as a valuable resource with the potential to be converted to key energy resources,” he said. “Partnering with Masdar, we are advancing the UAE’s leadership in clean energy innovation by transforming waste into SAF, a vital product for maintaining a cleaner environment.”
Once operational, the project will support multiple markets and strengthen Abu Dhabi’s role as a regional hub for SAF production. The initiative comes as the aviation sector—responsible for more than 18 percent of the UAE’s GDP in 2023, according to IATA—pursues aggressive decarbonisation pathways.
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), SAF can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80 percent compared with conventional jet fuel, making it one of the most effective tools for lowering aviation emissions.
The project is closely aligned with several of the UAE’s strategic national priorities, including the UAE General Policy for SAF, Abu Dhabi’s Low-Carbon Hydrogen Policy, the National Hydrogen Strategy, the Abu Dhabi Climate Change Strategy, and the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative.
By converting waste into clean energy, the initiative will also support Tadweer Group’s target of diverting 80 percent of Abu Dhabi’s waste from landfill by 2030, while creating new value chains in waste management, green hydrogen, and renewable fuels.
Leveraging Masdar’s global expertise in renewable energy and hydrogen, alongside Tadweer Group’s expanding network of local and international waste-to-value partnerships, the project will further consolidate the UAE’s position as a pioneer in clean energy innovation.
The initiative also aligns with Abu Dhabi’s ambition to emerge as a global leader in low-carbon fuel production, strengthening synergies across renewable energy, waste valorisation, and sustainable transport.
