Oman Turns Landfill Gas Into Clean Power and Cash

Oman just proved that trash can be treasure when managed right.

The country's waste management company, be'ah, is capturing methane gas from two major landfills and turning it into carbon credits worth real money. Even better, they're not stopping there. The next phase converts that same gas into electricity to power the facilities themselves.

The numbers tell an impressive story. Landfills at Al Multaqa and Barka have already generated 67,700 carbon credits since 2021, each representing one tonne of greenhouse gas kept out of the atmosphere. That's because methane, which naturally seeps from decomposing garbage, traps heat far more effectively than carbon dioxide.

For Oman, tackling landfill emissions wasn't optional. A recent audit showed that 92% of the company's total emissions came from its waste sites. The remaining pollution came mostly from garbage trucks and flaring operations.

Working with partner OQ Trading, be'ah registered both sites under Verra's Verified Carbon Standard in 2024. The certification process verified the emissions reductions and created tradable credits that companies can purchase to offset their own pollution.

The Ripple Effect

The real innovation starts now. Construction projects at both landfills, which began in early 2025 and reached 55% completion by year's end, will convert captured methane into over one megawatt of electricity. Al Multaqa will generate about 460 kilowatts while Barka adds another 600 kilowatts.

Instead of simply burning off the gas or letting it escape, the facilities will use that power for their own operations. If they capture more than needed, they can even sell excess electricity back to the grid.

Moosa Al Aamri, a landfill operations engineer at be'ah, explained that the projects align with Oman Vision 2040, the country's plan for sustainability and economic diversification. The initiative shows how environmental responsibility and economic opportunity can work together rather than compete.

The approach offers a blueprint for other nations struggling with both waste management and climate goals. By capturing gas that would otherwise escape into the atmosphere, Oman creates value from what was once considered just pollution. The carbon credits provide immediate revenue while the electricity generation offers long-term energy independence.

This transformation of two landfills into productive, revenue-generating facilities proves that climate solutions can strengthen economies while protecting the planet.