Partnership-Driven Solar Projects Help Jordanian Municipalities Cut Costs And Build Sustainable Futures

Municipalities in Ajloun, Deir Alla, and the Southern Jordan Valley have long struggled with limited resources and rising electricity costs. For years, high power bills took up a large share of municipal budgets, leaving little room for long-term planning or service improvement. Many local governments were forced into short-term fixes, often accumulating debt just to keep basic services running. Limited technical skills to plan and manage large renewable energy projects added to the challenge.

This situation began to change with the launch of the Sustainable Energy and Economic Development Project (SEED) Phase I and Phase II. Instead of treating municipalities as aid recipients, the project introduced a partnership-based model. Municipalities became active partners and investors in renewable energy projects. Through contribution agreements and cost-sharing arrangements, they shared ownership and responsibility for new green infrastructure.

Cowater played a key role by providing technical leadership, project design support, and capacity building. Municipalities contributed land, helped with permits and regulations, and co-financed the projects. This shared approach built trust and accountability, allowing projects to move forward smoothly. According to Mohammad Ramadan, Team Leader of SEED, the focus on partnership helped create real ownership and long-term leadership at the local level.

As a result, four large-scale solar photovoltaic plants were built in Ajloun and Deir Alla, each with a capacity of 950 kilowatts. Two more solar farms in the Southern Jordan Valley are now in the design stage, following the same technical and financial structure. These projects have significantly reduced electricity expenses for municipalities, easing budget pressure and allowing funds to be redirected toward public services, infrastructure maintenance, and future development plans.

The impact goes beyond financial savings. One operational solar plant alone generates over 11.3 million kilowatt-hours of electricity each year and avoids more than 8,200 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. On average, municipalities save about 1.33 million Jordanian dinars annually. At the same time, local jobs have been created, municipal services have become more reliable, and technical skills within local teams have improved.

Capacity building was a core part of SEED. Municipal staff received hands-on support in project planning, financial analysis, procurement, and governance. This has helped them confidently design new projects and engage with international donors. Today, the SEED partnership model is seen as a national example, showing that decentralized renewable energy projects can be practical, scalable, and sustainable when built on equal partnership and shared responsibility.