Kingdom to benefit from Hanergy’s groundbreaking energy technologies

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday visited the headquarters of Hanergy Holding Group, a Chinese mega company specialised in alternative and renewable energy. 

During the visit, the King met with the company’s Chairman Li Hejun and discussed with him ways to boost cooperation and to benefit from the group's expertise in its field of business, according to a Royal Court statement. 

On the sidelines of the World Economic Forum that was held at the Dead Sea in May, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Jordan and China to build solar energy and wind power projects in the Kingdom. 

It was also agreed that Hanergy would provide Jordan with a grant to expand the national grid’s capacity. 

On the sidelines of the Royal visit, Hanergy and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources will sign an agreement to build these projects to provide 1,000 megawatts (of electricity), according to the statement. 

During his visit to the group’s headquarters, King Abdullah commended Hanergy’s achievements, pointing out that Jordan is looking forward to benefiting from the Chinese group’s experience through cooperation between the firm and concerned Jordanian ministries, along with the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority.   

His Majesty was briefed by the group’s chairman on its projects in different parts of the world, noting that the company is interested in increasing its investments in Jordan and plans to reach other markets through the Kingdom. 

King Abdullah toured an exhibition showcasing the company’s energy-generating products and the mega-projects that the company is implementing at the domestic and global levels. He was briefed by company’s representatives on the technologies it uses in its hydropower, solar and wind energy applications and on the ways that clean energy can save costs and reduce the traditional fuels adverse impact on the environment, according to the statement. 

The exhibition showcases cars that completely rely on solar power and are considered a benchmark in this industry. 

Speaking to the Jordan News Agency, Petra, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Ibrahim Saif, who is accompanying the King on the visit, described Hanergy as one of the largest companies which has developed new ways for energy generation, harnessing numerous technologies that have enabled the energy giant to acquire a growing share in the world market. 

He said the agreement that will be signed on the sidelines of the King’s visit to China will pave the way for the company to start implementing the first phase of its investments in Jordan, estimated at $1 billion, pointing out that this first part includes producing 1,000 megawatts of electricity, which represents one-third of the country’s needs of renewable energy. 

This project will be implemented at stages and it will go hand-in-hand with other development projects, including the establishment of a factory and a training centre for the human resources that will be working at the facility, according to the minister. 

He said that work is under way to decide where the project will be set up, adding that the facility’s operation will not only be confined to solar energy applications, but also will include several other technologies that can provide energy solutions.