Herbert Smith Freehills advises on key Abu Dhabi waste-to-energy project

Leading international law firm Herbert Smith Freehills has advised Marubeni, Hitachi Zosen Inova (HZI) and Japan Overseas Infrastructure Investment Corporation for Transport & Urban Development (JOIN) on the world's most advanced waste-to-energy facility in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

The project involves the construction of a new waste-to-energy plant for Emirates Water & Electricity Company (EWEC) in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. It is one of the largest waste-to-energy facilities in the region, and is being developed in collaboration with Tadweer Group to divert waste away from landfills. The plant will have an expected processing capacity of 900,000 tonnes of waste per year, enabling an expected carbon emissions reduction of 1.1 million tonnes per year.

The deal successfully reached financial close on 28 June 2024.

Middle East partner Phil Hanson commented: "We are delighted to have advised the partners on this project, which constitutes a key part of the UAE's sustainable agenda and circular economy, and to continue our recent run of successful support for key projects in the UAE, which includes the Noor 2 street-lighting project, and the Mirfa 2 Reverse Osmosis desalination plant."

The team comprised of partner Phil Hanson, senior associates Adel Shageev  and Charles Oliver , and associates Umu Wurie  and Amro Al-Ahmar.