Morocco Advances Waste Management with EPC Contract for Casablanca Energy Plant
In a significant stride towards sustainable waste management, a consortium spearheading a prominent waste-to-energy facility in Casablanca has entrusted the Lebanese engineering and contracting firm BUTEC with the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract. This partnership represents a critical move in Morocco's initiative to minimize its dependence on landfills while simultaneously harnessing energy from municipal waste, a growing concern in urban management.
The consortium comprises Morocco's Nareva, Switzerland-based Kanadevia Inova, and Japan's Itochu Corporation, all of whom have secured a substantial 33.5-year concession from the Municipality of Casablanca for this ambitious project. BUTEC has been tasked with executing the civil works along with the EPC of the facility's non-process buildings and associated infrastructure, paving the way for a modern waste processing solution.
Strategically located to the northwest of the Mediouna landfill within the Casablanca-Settat region, this innovative plant is set to handle approximately 1.5 million tonnes of non-recyclable waste annually. Through this endeavor, it is expected to generate a remarkable 126 megawatts of baseload electricity, benefiting an estimated population of over 4.2 million residents across the Greater Casablanca area. The facility is designed not only to divert waste from landfills but also to recover energy from materials that cannot be recycled, thereby contributing to environmental sustainability.
The developers anticipate that for every tonne of waste processed at the facility, there will be a reduction of up to one tonne of carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions, marking a significant environmental achievement. Kanadevia Inova will supply the cutting-edge waste-to-energy technology and process systems necessary for operations, alongside long-term maintenance and financial support. Meanwhile, BUTEC will be responsible for a comprehensive range of works including civil, structural, architectural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing tasks related to the non-process components, in addition to external infrastructure development.
This project is a cornerstone of Morocco's broader strategy to modernize its waste management systems and enhance its renewable and lower-carbon energy frameworks. Casablanca, being the largest urban area in the country, has been under increasing pressure to tackle the environmental and land-use challenges posed by its waste disposal methods. For BUTEC, this contract signifies a vital expansion of its role in the waste-to-energy sector, with Raymond Daou, the senior vice-president for strategy and business development at BUTEC, emphasizing that the company is leveraging its established presence in Morocco and its collaboration with global technology providers.
“With three consecutive large-scale Waste-to-Energy projects across the geographies in which it operates, BUTEC is establishing itself as the generalist EPC contractor of choice in this strategic sector,” Daou remarked, highlighting the company's growing influence in the industry.
The project also exemplifies a collaborative effort that unites engineering and technology firms from Morocco, Switzerland, and Japan, showcasing the increasingly global nature of large-scale waste and energy infrastructure initiatives. This innovative approach is set to redefine waste management practices in Morocco and contribute significantly to the nation's sustainability goals.
As reported by fsxbusiness.com.
