Harnessing Waste for Renewable Electricity

Waste-to-Energy market was valued at $44.3 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.3% from 2025 to 2035. Electricity generation from waste involves converting municipal solid waste (MSW) into electrical energy using technologies such as incineration, gasification, and anaerobic digestion. With global waste expected to reach 3.4 billion metric tons annually by 2050 (World Bank), there is a growing need for sustainable waste management and alternative energy sources. Waste-to-Energy (WtE) offers dual benefits reducing landfill use and generating renewable power. 

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), WtE could supply up to 2.5% of global electricity by 2030 under strong climate policies. Government-led initiatives such as the European Union’s Waste Framework Directive, which promotes energy recovery after recycling, and India’s Swachh Bharat Mission, supporting WtE plants through capital subsidies are accelerating deployment. In 2023, the United Kingdom's Department for Energy Security and Net Zero announced funding for advanced gasification projects under its Net Zero Innovation Portfolio, further advancing clean electricity generation from waste.

Browse the full report description of “Waste-to-Energy Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report by Application (Electricity and Heat), by Technology (Thermochemical and Biochemical), and by Waste type (Municipal Solid Waste, Process Waste, Agricultural Waste, and Others) Forecast Period (2025-2035)” at https://www.omrglobal.com/industry-reports/waste-to-energy-market

Trends in Electricity Generation from Waste-to-Energy Technologies

• Waste-to-energy is shifting from traditional burning to advanced thermal technologies such as gasification and pyrolysis, which offer higher efficiency and lower emissions. Countries with strict environmental standards, such as Japan, Germany, and South Korea, are leading this transition.

• In Northern and Eastern Europe, electricity generation is increasingly integrated with district heating through Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems, achieving energy efficiencies of up to 90%. For instance, Finland's district heating sector uses CHP to significantly reduce CO? emissions. Similarly, Sweden's district heating networks utilize various green inputs, including waste heat, to reduce carbon footprints.

• Countries such as India, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Brazil are increasingly adopting Waste-to-Energy (WtE) projects to address urban waste challenges and meet rising energy demands.  According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the Asia-Pacific region is projected to contribute significantly to the global expansion of Waste-to-Energy (WtE) electricity capacity between 2024 and 2030. 

Recent development 

• In March 2024, Japan burned approximately 95% of municipal solid waste, with around 40% of these generating electricity. The Ministry of the Environment is actively working to improve energy recovery efficiency in these plants, aligning with the country's broader environmental and sustainability goals.

• In December 2023, Hitachi Zosen Inova constructed the world's largest waste-to-energy plant which will burn about 1.89 million tons of waste every year produce 193 MW of energy and provide electricity to 120,000 homes.

Key Players and Innovations

The major companies serving the global waste-to-energy technologies market include Veolia Environnement S.A., Hitachi Zosen Inova Steinmüller GmbH, JFE Engineering Corporation, Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc., and Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. and others. The market players are considerably contributing to the market growth by the adoption of various strategies including mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, collaborations, funding, and new product launches, to stay competitive in the market.

Market Coverage

• The market number available for – 2024-2035

• Base year- 2024

• Forecast period- 2025-2035

• Segment Covered- 

o By Technology

o By Application

o By Waste Type

• Regions Covered-

o North America

o Europe

o Asia-Pacific

o Rest of the World

• Competitive Landscape - Veolia Environnement S.A., Hitachi Zosen Inova Steinmüller GmbH, JFE Engineering Corporation, Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc., Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd., and others.

Key questions addressed by the report.

• What is the market growth rate?
• Which segment and region dominate the market in the base year?
• Which segment and region will project the fastest growth in the market?
• Who is the leader in the market?
• How are players addressing challenges to sustain growth?
• Where is the investment opportunity?

Global Waste-to-Energy Market Report Segment

By Application

• Electricity
• Heat

By Technology

• Thermochemical
• Biochemical

By Waste Type

• Municipal Solid Waste
• Process Waste
• Agricultural Waste
• Others

Global Waste-to-Energy Market Report Segment by Region

North America

• United States

• Canada 

Europe

• UK

• Germany

• Italy

• Spain

• France

• Russia

• Rest of Europe 

Asia-Pacific

• China

• India

• Japan

• South Korea

• Australia and New Zealand

• ASEAN Economies

• Rest of Asia-Pacific 

Rest of the World

• Latin America 

• Middle East & Africa

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