US-based solar services company First Solar and Shams Maan Power Generation have signed a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with the National Electric Power Company (NEPCO) to build a 52.5MW solar power plant in Hashemite, Jordan
The US$150mn plant will reportedly supply 160mn kWh of electricity per year, sufficient to power more than 35,000 homes in the country.
Hanna Zaghloul, CEO of Shams Ma'an, said, ?By bringing together industry-leading capabilities, international financing and advanced thin film technology that is ideally suited to local conditions, we will establish a regional benchmark for the independent production of power. There is no doubt that adding PV capacity to the country's energy generation portfolio offers Jordan and its people a winning value proposition.?
The project, which is part of the Ma'an Development Area (MDA) initiative in southern Jordan, will generate an estimated 500 jobs during its construction. The plant will also help the country reduce its carbon footprint by displacing approximately 90,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide per year, stated reports.
First Solar will supply its advanced thin film photovoltaic (PV) solar modules, and provide engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) and operations and maintenance (O&M) services for the project.
Ahmed Nada, vice-president of business development for First Solar in the Middle East, said, ?This agreement marks a significant step towards fulfilling Jordan's energy security goals. By efficiently harnessing the country's most abundant energy resource, Shams Ma'an will help power sustainable growth and development with clean, affordable and reliable solar electricity.?
