Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV), part of Abdul Latif Jameel Energy, has started construction on two of the largest solar PV projects in Jordan that will provide 80,000 homes with clean energy, it was announced on 30 May
The projects will create an estimated 500 jobs during their construction and will supply power at US$0.069 and US$0.076 per kWh, respectively, prices below the average cost of electricity in Jordan.
The solar plants ? called Mafraq I and Mafraq II ? will generate approximately two per cent of Jordan's total generation capacity, enough to supply more than 80,000 households. Totalling 133.4MW DC, each project will avoid the emission of over 80,000 tonnes of CO2 per year, equivalent to removing approximately 17,000 cars from the country's highways.
The announcement, part of Abdul Latif Jameel?s commitment to being the leading solar development company in the Middle East, was marked by an event involving His Excellency Dr. Ibrahim Saif, minister of energy and mineral resources, chairman of the National Electric Power Company (NEPCO) H.E. Eng. Khaldoun Qutishat, the former minister of energy and mineral resources Dr. Hisham Elkhateb, the former minister of commerce and industry Dr. Jawad Anani, FRV and Abdul Latif Jameel.
Roberto de Diego Arozamena, CEO of Abdul Latif Jameel Energy, said, ?These projects provide tangible evidence that solar can be a viable and sustainable energy source for the region.
?The fact is that electricity in Jordan will now be generated at low cost ? less than the current average price of electricity in the country - and nearly 80,000 homes will be powered by clean energy. That is good news when it comes to highlighting the benefits of solar power and why countries such as Jordan and Saudi Arabia are rightly focusing their efforts on clean energy.?
