Jordan increases renewable power and exports
Jordan, Amman: More than 25 % of Jordan’s power comes from renewables through mid-size solar and wind projects.
Image for illustration purposes.
Jordan, Amman: More than 25 % of Jordan’s power comes from renewables through mid-size solar and wind projects.
Jordan has recently achieved the leading position in the energy landscape of the Middle East by taking calculated steps to start distributing energy surplus to its neighbouring countries in need, and by investing in new types of energy sources.
According to Eng. Mohammed Al Ta’ani, the general manager of Jordanian Renewable Energy Society (JRES), “27% of Jordan’s electricity is currently derived from renewable energy.”
The country has numerous large projects related to energy and renewable energy. The most important operational solar plant is located in Al Quweira and has a capacity of 200 MW. Another major plant is the 200 MW Baynouna Solar Power Plant. It is considered the largest in the country and currently accounts for over 4 % of Jordan’s total electrical energy production.
In addition to these, Jordan has inaugurated numerous other solar PV plants of approximately 50 MW scale during the past five years, including the 50 MW Al-Risha project, the 52 MW Al Manakher Solar Park, and the Ma’an Development Area solar parks with a total capacity of 150 MW.
Jordan also has important wind resources: the 117 MW Tafilah Wind Farm and the 80 MW Maan Wind Farm.
There is also immense potential for small-scale solar installations in Jordan. According to a report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), rooftop solar installations could contribute up to 1.4 GW of solar energy capacity in the country by 2030.
Jordan first started paving the way for the development of renewable energy more than a decade ago.
“In 2012, we became the first Arab country in the region to create a legal framework for renewable energy,” explains Al Ta’ani. “Over the years, we started expanding by allowing direct investments in solar power. In parallel, governments encouraged civilians to use renewable and solar energy,” says Al Ta’ani.
According to Eng. Al Ta’ani, approximately 50,000 households and institutions in Jordan use renewable energy as a main source of power for their homes and cars.
In parallel, the Kingdom is diversifying its renewable energy sources. The Ministry of Energy recently announced that it is working on developing a green hydrogen strategy to establish a sustainable future.
“This strategic initiative holds immense potential for the country’s sustainable future, and positions Jordan as a frontrunner in the global green hydrogen market,” stated Zeina Hamdan, Director of Awraq Organization for Environmental Development.
Another notable project that will redefine Jordan’s energy landscape is the electrical interconnection between Jordan, Egypt and Iraq, as well as Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. This collaboration will establish an interconnection facilitating the exchange of green energy between those nations. The first phase Jordan-Iraq Electrical Interconnection aims to connect the two nations’ power grids, to supply Iraq with nearly 400 MW of electricity.
Jordan’s initiative to serve as a hub that connects neighbouring Arab countries stems from its energy surplus thanks to a sound national energy strategy. “Our smart grid helps us optimize surplus energy management, and how best to distribute this surplus to neighboring countries in need,” explains Al Ta’ani.
Source: Energy&Utilities
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