Jordan Earmarks Land for 100 MW Solar Plant

The project will not only reduce the dependence on fossil fuels, but will also result in reduced power cost from small-and medium-sized industries.

The Jordanian government recently announced designating land in east Amman for establishing a 100-megawatt (MW) solar power project to support the renewable energy sector.

Energy Minister Hala Zawati mentioned that the land will be given out on a lease for reasonable prices.

According to the energy minister’s estimates around 167 industrial facilities will reap the benefits of the solar plant.

The project will not only reduce the dependence on fossil fuels, but will also result in reduced power cost from small-and medium-sized industries, the minister explained.

Prior to this, the Jordanian Cabinet had announced a three-year special-tax exemption on natural gas imports for industries.

The tax was reduced from 7% to zero was aimed at supporting the industrial shift from traditional fossil fuels to natural gas. The shift could bring down energy cost by 20 to 50%, she underlined.

Amman Chamber of Industry General Manager Nael Hussami said that “allocating the piece of land in Manakher would reduce electricity costs and encourage the industrial sector to expand production, that the cost of electricity amounts to nearly 42 per cent of the operational costs at some secondary sectors.”

Source: The Jordan Times