More solar energy projects in pipeline

AMMAN — Jordan will sign in the first quarter of 2016 deals under which international companies will build two solar-run power plants with a total capacity of 100 megawatts, according to an energy official.

The government has awarded contracts to Greece-based Sunrise Photovoltaic Systems and Saudi Oger Ltd. to each build a 50 megawatt solar plant. The signing of the agreements for the two power plants will take place after paperwork is completed, said Ghaleb Maabreh, secretary general of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.

He told The Jordan Times in recent remarks that the projects are scheduled to be completed in 18-24 months, he said.

Work is also under way on an 80 megawatt wind plant that will be located in Maan, he said, adding that the wind plant will be completed in the second half of 2016.

“The upcoming period will witness the launch of several projects in the field of renewable energy in line with the country’s national energy strategy that seeks to boost reliance on local energy resources, including solar and wind,” the official said.

According to Maabreh, the country will have renewable energy projects with total capacity of 1,000 megawatts by the end of 2018.

The entire ecosystem for renewable energy projects in Jordan is promising and encouraging as studies by energy authorities indicate that the Kingdom has more than 300 sunny days a year, according to experts. 

In addition, wind speeds in the northern region reach as high as 7.5 metres per second and 11.5 metres per second in the eastern areas of the country.

Jordan imports about 97 per cent of its energy needs annually at about 18 per cent of the gross domestic product.