The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources in Jordan has undertaken a series of projects aimed at enhancing energy efficiency and rationalizing energy consumption across various governorates and sectors. These initiatives are carried out through the Fund for Promoting Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation and the Directorate of Electricity and Rural Electrification.
Since the launch of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Program in 2020 until the end of 2022, significant progress has been made. Notably, 4,570 solar cell systems have been installed in homes, with 750 systems implemented in 2022. Additionally, 1,625 solar heater systems for homes were installed, with 520 systems deployed in 2022.
In line with the achievements, numerous agreements have been forged with Islamic and commercial banks, civil society organizations, and local cooperative and charitable societies. These agreements aim to implement programs for the installation of solar heater systems and solar energy systems for homes, with a subsidy covering 30% of the system’s cost.
To ensure the success of these programs, specific technical specifications for solar heater systems have been developed in collaboration with key institutions, including the Institution of Standards and Metrology and the Royal Scientific Society. These standards are designed to qualify citizens for support in installing solar heater systems and solar photovoltaics.
Furthermore, a joint cooperation agreement has been established with the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation to install solar heater systems for poor families, with 235 systems targeted. The Ministry of Social Development is actively involved in identifying eligible families.
To extend support, a joint financing agreement with the US Agency for International Cooperation has been finalized, aiming to finance 1,200 solar heater systems for poor families, offering a 100% grant.
The efforts also encompass energy-saving measures, with the replacement of 150,000 energy-saving lighting units using high-quality LED technology distributed across the country. Additionally, 12,000 lighting units were distributed in 2022.
In terms of renewable energy, the project to install solar energy systems connected to the electrical grid in rural areas has made significant strides. The third phase, completed in 2022, included the installation of over a thousand solar systems, with plans for the fourth phase to encompass 800 solar systems in Irbid, Jerash, and Ajloun during 2023.
The project has benefitted 6,582 beneficiaries since its inception. Further plans include issuing tenders to install solar cell systems connected to the electrical grid for 2,000 homes of wounded military personnel or widows of military wounded in 2023.
For solar cell systems not connected to the electrical grid in rural areas, 61 separate homes across the Kingdom have benefited from the initiative, with a financial cost of approximately 241 thousand dinars.
Efforts continue with a presentation and referral of a tender for a project in Wadi Al-Ghuwair camp, Wadi Araba, Aqaba Governorate, set to be implemented in 2023. Technical specifications are also in preparation for external patrol stations and civil defence centers.
In the industrial sector, the third phase of the program supporting energy efficiency technologies for small and medium industrial establishments was launched in cooperation with the Jordan Chamber of Industry in 2022. Energy audit studies for beneficiary factories will commence in 2023.
The agricultural sector has seen 164 farms benefit from loans, including 25 farms in 2022.
Public and government buildings, as well as places of worship, have not been overlooked. Solar energy systems have been installed in 602 houses of worship, with 16 installations in 2022. The Fund is set to support the installation of solar cell systems for various projects during 2023.
Lastly, municipal buildings have witnessed the signing of a joint cooperation agreement with the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security to finance the installation of solar cell systems. The first phase, covering 30 municipalities, began in 2022, with completion anticipated in the first half of 2023. The second phase, encompassing 70 municipalities, is in the planning stage.
Health centers are also a focus, with a project to install solar cell systems for 17 health centers set to be completed in the first half of 2023.
The project to replace traditional street lighting units with energy-saving LED units is a significant undertaking involving collaboration between the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, the Ministry of Local Administration, and the Cities and Villages Development Bank. Rural contributions amount to five million dinars, disbursed annually over seven years, with municipalities covering the remaining costs. The project is expected to conclude by the end of 2024.
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