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 today.
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.
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 projects will create an estimated 500 jobs during their construction and will supply power at $6.9 and $7.6 cents per kWh, respectively, prices below the average cost of electricity in Jordan.
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, the Chairman of the National Electric Power Company (NEPCO) H.E. Eng. Khaldoun Qutishat, the former Minister 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, Chief Executive Officer 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 with 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.”
As part of its commitment to the social and economic development of the communities where it operates, FRV together with IFC, EBRD and PROPARCO, signed two scholarship agreements with IE University related to its projects in Jordan. The scholarships, called Young Talented Leaders, are intended to cover the training and accommodation expenses of two Jordanian students for the completion of bachelor's degree courses at IE University in Madrid.
One of them has been awarded to the student Sarah Riyad al Atiyat, who began her studies last September, and the other one will be awarded for this academic year 2017-2018.
