Waste to Energy Generation

Waste to Energy Generation

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Waste to Energy Generation

Country
Sector
Most major industry classification systems use sources of revenue as their basis for classifying companies into specific sectors, subsectors and industries. In order to group like companies based on their sustainability-related risks and opportunities, SASB created the Sustainable Industry Classification System® (SICS®) and the classification of sectors, subsectors and industries in the SDG Investor Platform is based on SICS.
Renewable Resources and Alternative Energy
Sub Sector
Most major industry classification systems use sources of revenue as their basis for classifying companies into specific sectors, subsectors and industries. In order to group like companies based on their sustainability-related risks and opportunities, SASB created the Sustainable Industry Classification System® (SICS®) and the classification of sectors, subsectors and industries in the SDG Investor Platform is based on SICS.
Alternative Energy
Indicative Return
Describes the rate of growth an investment is expected to generate within the IOA. The indicative return is identified for the IOA by establishing its Internal Rate of Return (IRR), Return of Investment (ROI) or Gross Profit Margin (GPM).
5% - 10% (in IRR)
Investment Timeframe
Describes the time period in which the IOA will pay-back the invested resources. The estimate is based on asset expected lifetime as the IOA will start generating accumulated positive cash-flows.
Long Term (10+ years)
Market Size
Describes the value of potential addressable market of the IOA. The market size is identified for the IOA by establishing the value in USD, identifying the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) or providing a numeric unit critical to the IOA.
5% - 10% (CAGR)
Average Ticket Size (USD)
Describes the USD amount for a typical investment required in the IOA.
> USD 10 million
Direct Impact
Describes the primary SDG(s) the IOA addresses.
Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7) Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12) Climate Action (SDG 13)
Indirect Impact
Describes the secondary SDG(s) the IOA addresses.
Good health and well-being (SDG 3) Clean water and sanitation (SDG 6) Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11)

Business Model Description

Construct and operate waste to energy plants, generating electricity out of waste from homes, non-hazardous commercial, and industrial waste through thermal waste treatment (grate combustion), and sell the electricity to the national grid while recovering and recycling the bottom ashes for road construction.

Expected Impact

Increase the share of renewable energy in the national energy mix, while reducing the volume of wastes disposed in landfills and associated emissions.

How is this information gathered?

Investment opportunities with potential to contribute to sustainable development are based on country-level SDG Investor Maps.

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Country & Regions

Explore the country and target locations of the investment opportunity.
Country
Region
  • Azerbaijan: Baku
  • Azerbaijan: Absheron - Khizi
  • Azerbaijan: Garabagh
  • Azerbaijan: Ganja - Dashkasan
Learn more

Sector Classification

Situate the investment opportunity within sustainability focused sector, subsector and industry classifications.
Sector

Renewable Resources and Alternative Energy

Development need
Azerbaijan is a net energy exporter rendering its economy vulnerable to oil price volatility. Fossil fuels account for 98.7% of total energy consumption whereas renewables constitute only 1.3%. Despite Azerbaijan contributing only 0.15% of the world's total global GHGs, its energy sector is responsible for 80% of the country's total emissions (1, 2, 3, 4).

Policy priority
Strategic Roadmap for Development of Utilities Services, 2016 aims to expand renewable energy generation with investments in wind, solar and hydro power stations through public-private partnerships by 2025. The government targets to increase the share of renewable energy in the nation’s overall energy mix to 30% and aims 35% of GHG reduction by 2030 (5, 6).

Gender inequalities and marginalization issues
Recurrent power shortages, unstable heating systems, and insufficient maintenance and repair services have a negative impact on households' well-being, particularly in rural districts where the distribution network is relatively deteriorated and available facilities cannot provide a reliable of source energy. Ensuring reliable access to energy increases women's access to economic opportunities, information technology, and time-saving appliances alleviating domestic responsibilities (9).

Investment opportunities introduction
Potential of renewable energy sources of Azerbaijan are high; including more than 20,000 MW from solar energy, 15,000 MW from wind energy including off-shore zones, and 900 MW from biomass and waste energy. Each year, Azerbaijan consumes 183 TWh of total energy including electricity (6, 7, 19).

Key bottlenecks introduction
High levels of informality in the labor market, infrastructural disparities across regions, no feed-in tariff incentives or special tariffs for renewable energy investors, lack of incentives including lease incentives, lack of technical, legal, and regulatory infrastructure are the key bottleneck of renewable energy sector of Azerbaijan (8).

Sub Sector

Alternative Energy

Development need
Azerbaijan's energy mix is heavily reliant on fossil fuels. Natural gas accounts for 90% of electricity generation. Primary energy demand increased by 5.8% in 2021, compared to 1.3% in 2019. The country's electricity transmission and distribution systems have room for improvement, emphasizing opportunities for enhancement can lead to even more efficient and reliable electrical services (8, 10, 11).

Policy priority
Azerbaijan 2030: National Priorities for Socio-Economic Development emphasizes clean energy and sustainable energy sources across sectors to reduce impact on climate change. Non-oil sector diversification is deeply favored due to the decline in global oil prices and national oil revenues stemming from the global trend of transitioning into green energy (12, 13).

Gender inequalities and marginalization issues
Enhanced access to clean energy is specifically crucial for women and their health, as they traditionally are the one in charge of cooking and heating the household, which might cause health issues depending on the energy source. The urban population is more severely affected by air pollution than rural regions with an air pollution of 25 air particulate matter (PM) for urban regions compared to 22 PM in rural districts in 2019 (14, 15).

Investment opportunities introduction
The government of Azerbaijan intends to generate 1500 MW of total renewable energy by 2030, including 440 MW in 2023, 460 MW in 2023-2025, and 600 MW in 2026-2030. Unlocking offshore wind potential, improving bioenergy opportunities and expanding renewable’s infrastructure through public private partnership are targeted by the government (16, 13).

Key bottlenecks introduction
Low utility prices disincentivize renewable energy use and the national grid is not equipped to accommodate the additional load from renewable energy. Limited off-grid developments, out-of-date technology in the sector, low end-user tariffs, lack of skills in the workforce to handle renewables hinder renewable energy developments in the country (17, 18).

Industry

Biofuels

Pipeline Opportunity

Discover the investment opportunity and its corresponding business model.
Investment Opportunity Area

Waste to Energy Generation

Business Model

Construct and operate waste to energy plants, generating electricity out of waste from homes, non-hazardous commercial, and industrial waste through thermal waste treatment (grate combustion), and sell the electricity to the national grid while recovering and recycling the bottom ashes for road construction.

Business Case

Learn about the investment opportunity’s business metrics and market risks.

Market Size and Environment

CAGR
Describes the historical or expected annual growth of revenues in the IOA market.

5% - 10%

Critical IOA Unit
Describes a complementary market sizing measure exemplifying the opportunities with the IOA.

3.8 million tonnes of waste generated in Azerbaijan in 2021; nation-wide biomass potential calculated at 900 MW.

In 2021, total waste generation reached 3.8 million tonnes, calculated as 377,7 at a per capita level in Azerbaijan. There are 70 landfills across the country, four of which are located in the Baku region, receiving 70% of the nation's total municipal solid waste (45, 24).

Azerbaijan aims to increase energy production capacity from bioenergy power plants to 50 MW by 2030, the country's total biomass and waste energy potential is estimated at more than 900 MW (53, 19).

Azerbaijan's renewable energy sector is predicted to grow at a CAGR of more than 5% (23).

Indicative Return

IRR
Describes an expected annual rate of growth of the IOA investment.

5% - 10%

ROI
Describes an expected return from the IOA investment over its lifetime.

5% - 10%

GPM
Describes an expected percentage of revenue (that is actual profit before adjusting for operating cost) from the IOA investment.

> 25%

An investor providing equity financing to a waste to energy project in Azerbaijan has estimated a return on investment and internal rate of return in the 5-10% range, and a gross profit margin up to or higher than 25% (49).

Sales of electric energy produced from the Balakhani Waste-To-Energy plant operated by Tamiz Shahar was expected to yield AZN 9-10 million (USD 5.3 - 5.9 million) per year, at the time of the tender agreement, excluding profit from utilizing bottom ash for road construction (48).

Investment Timeframe

Timeframe
Describes the time period in which the IOA will pay-back the invested resources. The estimate is based on asset expected lifetime as the IOA will start generating accumulated positive cash-flows.

Long Term (10+ years)

An investor providing equity financing to projects in the non-oil sectors of Azerbaijan has estimated a long-term payback period of over 10 years based on their feasibility study of a waste-to-energy plant in Azerbaijan (49).

The Balakhani Waste-to-Energy, considered as a Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) project under the Kyoto Agreement is expected to produce revenues over a 8-10 year period for the government of Azerbaijan under the carbon credit scheme (48).

Ticket Size

Average Ticket Size (USD)
Describes the USD amount for a typical investment required in the IOA.

> USD 10 million

Market Risks & Scale Obstacles

Market - Highly Regulated

The regulations on waste management remain limited to collection and disposal at landfill, no sorting is mandated at collection nor references are made to waste incineration or methane capture and utilization (26).

Capital - CapEx Intensive

High capital expenditures are needed for waste-to-energy projects; both for primary equipment and technology development. The Balakhani waste-to-energy plant developed by CMIN cost EUR 377 million (USD 416.5 million), and as the only existing waste-to-energy plant in the country the technology and associated know-how is not readily available (21, 26).

Capital - Limited Investor Interest

Lack of a standardized power purchasing agreement (PPA) framework and country-wide grid code for grid management increases the risk perceived by private investors in renewable energy investments in the country (1).

Impact Case

Read about impact metrics and social and environmental risks of the investment opportunity.

Sustainable Development Need

Azerbaijan's national electricity mix currently only includes 1.3% of renewable energy sources. The heavy reliance on oil and gas for energy generation results in the contamination of key air, soil and water resources (3, 33).

In Azerbaijan, the oil and gas sector accounts for 85% of the country's overall exports. Diversifying energy exports by tapping into the country's vast renewable energy potential will help hedge against oil price volatility (8, 9, 47).

Illegal dumping is widespread in both urban and rural areas of Azerbaijan to the extent that the Balakhani landfill is the only sanitary landfill in the country. The dumping of waste causes contamination of water, soil, and air, which poses risks to public health (36).

Gender & Marginalisation

Even though Azerbaijan has achieved 100% access to electricity for the population, the aging status of transmission, generation and distribution networks have resulted in power outages with certain facilities in rural districts failing to provide a reliable source of energy (9).

Women are particularly impacted by frequent power outages and undependable heating systems, as they have a greater share of responsibility in domestic tasks, in case of limited electricity access women can't make use of time saving appliances, and does involved in farm work can't complete tasks including post-harvest processing (9).

Women are also underrepresented in energy-related jobs, comprising only 11.3% of jobs in the electricity, gas, and steam production, and receive a lower renumeration, AZN 614 (USD 361), compared to men earning AZN 790 (USD 464) on average in the sector. Existing education patterns perpetuate the employment gap as only 13% of students in the energy field are female (34, 35, 9).

Expected Development Outcome

The share of renewable energy in the national electricity mix will increase, helping reach the target of 30% by 2030. Air, water and soil contamination will be reduced by the increased use of green energy and reduced reliance on the oil and gas industry (6).

Green energy generation will reduce reliance on the oil and gas sector revenues, while diversifying the country's economy. With less reliance on the conventional oil sector's profit for economic growth, Azerbaijan's economy will be more resilient to external shocks and global price volatility.

Since there will be a value addition to household and industrial waste with the waste-to-energy investments, waste collection and sorting activities will draw investors' attention to the sector. The environment will be protected with increased waste collection activities.

Gender & Marginalisation

Investments in the renewable energy sector can expand employment opportunities for women, who remain underrepresented and receive lower salaries compared to men (9).

Diversification of the energy mix through waste-to-energy investments can help ensure reliable energy to suburban districts that remain vulnerable to energy outages due to outdated energy infrastructure (9).

Utilization of available waste for clean power generation will promote treating waste as a resource, to feed into the incineration heat for power generation, and promote incineration as an environmentally conscious waste disposal solution (26).

Primary SDGs addressed

Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7)
7 - Affordable and Clean Energy

7.1.2 Proportion of population with primary reliance on clean fuels and technology

Current Value

Share of renewable energy generation in the final consumption of energy products was 1.3% in 2021 (3).

Target Value

The 2022-2026 Social and Economic Development Strategy of Azerbaijan aims to increase share of renewable energy systems in total installed capacity to 24% by 2026 in line with the government's 30% target for 2030 (13, 6).

Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12)
12 - Responsible Consumption and Production

12.a.1 Installed renewable energy-generating capacity in developing countries (in watts per capita)

Current Value

The capacity of the renewable energy generating power plants in Azerbaijan, including hydro-power plants, was 1304.5 MW (6).

Target Value

1,500 MW new renewable energy generation capacity planned to be installed by 2030 (6).

Climate Action (SDG 13)
13 - Climate Action

13.2.2 Total greenhouse gas emissions per year

Current Value

Total green house gas emissions reached 53.9 million tons (in units of CO2 equivalent) in 2020 (43)

Target Value

Commitment to reduce GHG emission by 35% by 2030, and 40% by 2050 (4, 6).

Secondary SDGs addressed

3 - Good Health and Well-Being
6 - Clean water and sanitation
11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities

Directly impacted stakeholders

People

Azerbaijan's population will benefit from reliable generation and distribution of clean and green energy generation, and the promotion of systemized waste collection and sorting to feed into the incineration process.

Gender inequality and/or marginalization

Rural communities vulnerable to energy shortages and women who rely on continuous electrification for household tasks will benefit from reliable generation of clean energy stemming from increased renewable energy sources.

Planet

The environment will enjoy decreased pollution from the prevention of illegal dumping of waste. CO2 emissions will be reduced as share of renewable energy generation in final energy mix increases.

Corporates

Private sector actors in the region operating in the renewable energy sector as well as waste management including cement factories with incineration capacity and services will benefit from expanded business opportunities.

Public sector

Azerbaijan's economy will become more resilient to fluctuations in oil and gas prices by diversifying energy exports away from the oil sector with renewable energy investments.

Indirectly impacted stakeholders

People

Azerbaijan's population will enjoy clean air, soil and water as well and experience health benefits from green energy. Diversifying the economy away from the oil and gas sector will expand employment opportunities.

Corporates

Waste collection, sorting, and transfer facilities will increase their revenue as a result of waste to energy investments which encourage waste value addition.

Public sector

The government of Azerbaijan will advance its efforts in meeting its target of 30% renewable energy production by 2030 (6).

Outcome Risks

Even though waste to energy generation is considered beneficial for the climate as an alternative for landfills while generating electricity, GHG emission from such facilities are larger when compared to other renewable sources (50).

Although lower than the amount of air pollutants emitted from combustion of fossil fuels, poorly fed waste to energy facilities may emit concentrated toxins with potential health risks such as dioxins and heavy metals which may remain problematic in bottom ash (51).

Impact Risks

Outdated gird infrastructure, particularly in suburban districts may create problems in accommodating the additional electricity load from renewable energy, limiting expected impact in transitioning to green energy consumption (9).

The existing tariff system which remains subsidized by the state-budget and low price of natural gas and oil can discourage the use of renewable energy for electricity production unless subsidies are phased out in the long-run (18).

Due to a lack of knowledge and properly trained personnel to operate the technology, there may be a high risk of equipment malfunction resulting in the underperformance of the plants (26).

Informal waste pickers who are involved in waste management risk losing income from the establishment of a systemized waste collection system tied to waste to energy plants.

Impact Classification

C—Contribute to Solutions

What

Utilization of non-hazardous waste to generate clear power will reduce methane emissions from landfills while increasing the share of renewable energy share in the national electricity mix.

Risk

Existing subsidy system and low price of fossil fuel power generation, and the outdated grid infrastructure may limit impact, while informal waste pickers may risk losing livelihoods.

Contribution

In addition to existing investments in renewable energy including wind and solar, waste to energy plants can lead to further reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by replacing electricity otherwise generated by fossil fuel power generation,

Impact Thesis

Increase the share of renewable energy in the national energy mix, while reducing the volume of wastes disposed in landfills and associated emissions.

Enabling Environment

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Policy Environment

Azerbaijan 2030: National Priorities for Social Economic Development, 2021: Outlines five national priorities for socioeconomic development, including the target of a clean environment and a country of green growth which covers efficient energy use and giving preference to new sustainable energy sources (13).

Strategy of socio-economic development of the Republic of Azerbaijan between 2022 – 2026, 2022: Proposed actions to achieve the 24% target of renewable energy systems by 2026 includes the expansion of renewable energy deployment and implementing energy efficiency measures and adopting new green technologies (13).

Strategic Roadmap of on the Development of Utilities Services, 2016: Covers the long-term strategic vision for Azerbaijan's utility services, proposes to achieve operational efficiency in the energy sector, including electricity and heating and diversifying the energy generation portfolio (5).

Financial Environment

Financial incentives: Entrepreneurship Development Fund under the Ministry of Economy provides soft loans for up to AZN 10 million (USD 5.8 million) at a 5% interest rate for eligible projects non-oil industry and innovative technologies. The Azerbaijan Investment Company, offering equity financing at preferential rates targets non-oil industries including renewable energy, and has signed a MOU with a foreign investor on a new waste to energy plant (20, 51).

Fiscal incentives: Investors that engage in industrial districts or in the strategic investments projects determined by the Presidency of Azerbaijan and receive the investment promotion document are exempt from property, land and, 50% of the income tax for 7 years, for industrial park residents' exemption is for 10 years (38, 39).

Regulatory Environment

Law on Utilization of Renewable Sources in the Electricity Production, 2021: Outlines the organizational, economic, and regulatory foundations and support mechanisms for the generation of electricity from renewable resources (27).

Law on Efficient Use of Energy Resources and Energy Efficiency, 2021: Regulates relations in the field of energy production, storage, transmission, distribution, sale, and consumption and establishes the energy efficiency fund (28).

Law on Production and Household Waste No. 514-IG, 1998: Determines state policy regarding the prevention of adverse effect of waste on human health and environment as well as waste management while promoting the reintegration of waste into the economy as secondary raw material (29).

On the Implementation of Special Financing for Investment Projects in Connection with Construction and Infrastructure Facilities, 2016: Demonstrates that private sector projects involved in the production and sale of electricity can be implemented through the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model (30).

Law on Energy, 1998: provides the core principles of national energy regulation and policy implementation, including goals of enabling competitive energy markets, energy infrastructure development, reduction on environmental impact, attracting foreign investments and supporting local energy production (52).

Marketplace Participants

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Private Sector

CNIM, Masdar, Azerbaijan Investment Company OJSC (AIC), Tamiz Shahar JSC, Holcim Azerbaijan.

Government

Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, Ministry of Energy, Azenergi OJSC, Azerishiq OJSC, Tariff Council, AzAlternativEnerji, Energy Regulatory Agency under the Ministry of Energy, State Agency for Alternative and Renewable Energy Sources (SAARES).

Multilaterals

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), Asian Development Bank (ADB), European Union, International Energy Agency, International Renewable Energy Agency.

Non-Profit

Azerbaijan Entrepreneurs Confederation (ASK), Regional Environmental Centre for the Caucasus (REC Caucasus), American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham), German-Azerbaijani Chamber of Commerce (AHK).

Public-Private Partnership

In 2022, a new law "On Public-Private Partnership" was adopted. Infrastructure Investment Law, including Build Operate Transfer (BOT) model was preferred for the investment agreements between the government and private sector such as CNIM's waste to energy plant (41, 42).

Target Locations

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country static map
urban

Azerbaijan: Baku

CNIM's waste-to-energy plant was built along with the Solid Waste Sorting Plant in the new Balakhani Eco-Industrial Park, located in the Absheron Peninsula (25).
semi-urban

Azerbaijan: Absheron - Khizi

In 2021, 57% of the population of Azerbaijan resided in urban areas where rapid urbanization has led to high levels of solid waste production. Due to high level of waste generation, urban settlements including Baku, Sumgait and Ganja are suitable for waste to energy plants (32).
rural

Azerbaijan: Garabagh

The government of Azerbaijan established a green energy zone in the post-conflict area of Karabakh. In that regard, renewable energy generation, including waste to energy investments, are targeted in the region (40).
semi-urban

Azerbaijan: Ganja - Dashkasan

The Ganja-Dashkasan economic region hosts the Samukh Agroenergy Residential Complex, which is planned to feature renewable energy solutions to power the industrial zone and the district, including biomass. Masdar and Azerbaijan Investment company have signed a memorandum of understanding on a waste to energy project which will be located in the Ganja region (19, 20).

References

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