Jordan completes phase one of domestic renewables plan

• 10 years ago (2014-04-01)
• Junior Isles

Middle East 326 Renewables 776

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Jordan has signed deals this week with two companies for the construction of two 10 MW solar power plants in the south of the country, according to Energy Minister Mohammad Hamed.

These two deals increase the number of renewable energy projects launched this year by the Jordanian government to 12, Mr Hamed said, and marked the completion of the first phase of a three-stage project to increase domestic renewable energy production.

“Under the first round, we signed 12 agreements. We have two remaining rounds under which about eight renewable energy projects for power generation will be built,” said Mr Hamed.

The 12 projects will generate 470 GWh of energy per year, create around 2500 jobs, and cost the government a total of $560 million, Mr Hamed added.

“The 12 projects are expected to be completed early 2015, and in mid-2015 they will be connected to the grid,” he continued.

As part of phase two of the project, the energy ministry is expected to select four companies by September that will each be commissioned to build a 50 MW renewable energy plant.

Mr Hamed also revealed the Energy Ministry expects to commission four other companies to build a 100 MW renewable energy plant each.

Jordan’s current energy plan aims for renewable generation to compose about 10 per cent of the energy mix by 2020.