The Shenzhen Energy Ring addresses one of today’s most urgent environmental challenges by converting solid waste into energy. Annually, the global population produces over 2 billion tons of municipal solid waste, a staggering amount with significant environmental implications. Landfills alone contribute nearly 19% of global methane emissions, a greenhouse gas that is 80 times more potent at warming the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. The Shenzhen Energy Ring incinerates 5,000 tons of waste daily, producing an annual output of 1.2 billion kWh directly fed into the city's energy grid.
The large, circular facility not only produces energy but also serves as a hub for research, development, and educational activities. Featuring a 1.2 km walking route around its perimeter, the plant invites the community to interact with the building and enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Through this engagement, visitors gain valuable insights into the waste-to-resource conversion process and become more aware of the environmental impact of waste.
Despite its complex functions, the Energy Ring’s simple form is an efficient shape, a tapered and tilted lattice drum, that contains all the plant’s functions within the smallest area possible to reduce the building’s footprint. By compressing multiple functions into a smaller area, and in turn, bring spaces for education, exhibition, and research facilities together, the building coverage is 11% less than the maximum allowed.
The Shenzhen Energy Ring exemplifies how a high-performing energy plant can harmonize beauty, sculpture, and environmental responsibility. By anticipating future adaptive reuse and welcoming public observation of its operations, it embodies a pioneering model of sustainability for waste-to-energy facilities.

Location: Shenzen, China
Programme: Power plant
Size: 85,000 m2 (gross floor area), 267,000 m2 (site area)
Status: Completed 2023
Client: Shenzhen Energy Environmental Engineering Co., Ltd.
Commission: 1st Prize in International Design Competition
Collaborating Architect: Gottlieb Paludan Architects
Landscape Architect: EDSA
Engineer: Schlaich Bergermann Partner
Photos: Tian Fangfang

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