Energy Minister inaugurates power plant project

Shaheennews –

Energy and Mineral Resources Minister, Hala Zawati, on Wednesday laid the foundation stone for solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant, dubbed “AM Solar,” which costs $50 million, at Madounah area, east of Amman.

The plant, with a capacity of 52 MW, is a joint venture between Applied Energy Services (AES), Jordan, a subsidiary of the global energy provider AES Corporation, one of the largest power companies in the United States, the Japanese conglomerate Mitsui and Qatar’s Nebras Power, on a build, own, operate (BOO) basis.

During the inauguration ceremony, the minister said Jordan is “seriously” working to benefit from sunlight to generate environment-friendly energy.

Jordan has recently been investing in many renewable energy projects according to an energy strategy, based on a future outlook that takes into consideration energy security and independence, local resources, as well as low production costs, Zawati pointed out.

“Renewable energy currently contributes 800 MW,” she continued, announcing “the goal is to reach 1600 MW of renewable energy by 2020, which constitutes 20% of energy in the Kingdom.”

Nebras Power Business Development Director, Faisal Siddiqi, said that the project is the result of the encouraging investment environment in Jordan and that it contributes to achieving the government’s vision to reduce the import of electricity.