US association names Jordanian woman ‘energy innovator’ of region

AMMAN — Head of the school’s project at the Jordan Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Fund (JREEEF), Diana Athamneh has been named the 2019 Energy Innovator for the Middle East region, as awarded by the US Association of Energy Engineers (AEE).

During a ceremony held in Washington, DC, the AEE granted Athamneh the award for her “distinguished achievement” in enhancing the adoption of clear energy usage and energy innovation, according to a ministry statement.

Athamneh, in her speech during the ceremony, dedicated her award to Jordan, which she said “spares no effort” to diversify its energy resources. 

She added that the JREEEF, which is affiliated with the Energy Ministry, seeks to reduce the cost of energy bills and ration energy consumption, as well as protect those most vulnerable in society by providing them with clear energy. 

Athamneh acquainted ceremony attendees with the Royal initiative to warm schools, which is implemented by the JREEEF and has so far benefitted 128 schools through equipping them with the tools and means to create a proper class environment using renewable energy.  

Athamneh is the first Jordanian woman to graduate from the Regional Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, which comprises 17 Arab countries and seeks to activate and increase the benefits of renewable energy and energy efficiency practices. 

The AEE, founded in 1977 by Albert Thumann, is a non-profit professional society of over 18,000 members in more than 100 countries. 

The AEE’s mission is “to promote the scientific and educational interests of those engaged in the energy industry and to foster action for sustainable development”, according to its website.