EU supports Jordan’s Green Energy Vision with EUR 90 million under REEE II
Amman, February 2, The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR) H.E. Dr. Ibrahim Seif and the Ambassador of the European Union to Jordan H.E. Mr Andrea Matteo Fontana presided over the official launch of the second phase of the EU-Funded project ‘Technical Assistance to the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Programme in Jordan’– REEE II’.
REEE II is part of a larger EUR 90 million programme that seeks to support Jordan’s objective to reduce its dependency on energy imports (currently at 95%) by developing Jordan’s capacities to generate renewable energy (mainly wind and solar) and by becoming more energy efficient.
It is estimated that Jordan’s houses and industries could reduce their energy consumption by 40%, so the scope for change is very significant. ‘Transforming to a green economy is a challenge for all of us, but once we succeed it will give our economy a strong competitive advantage. We have the potential to become the powerhouse of the region. Minister Seif informed the gathering.
Some of the highlights of the REEE I project included a number of pilot projects to help demonstrate the benefits and potential of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies in Jordan. In all, 9 initiatives were implemented under the REEE I, ranging from PV solar panels, geothermal units, biogas systems, solar water panels, solar-powered desalination and irrigation units and energy efficiency measures can now be seen in mosques, hospitals, schools, refugee camps, government buildings, desert farming communities and other parts of Jordan.
REEE II will continue to support and advise MEMR and other relevant ministries and stakeholders in their efforts to implement important policies and regulations to facilitate a transition to Jordan’s green economy, such as building codes and energy efficiency labelling on appliances. It will help promote subsidies that will be made available through JREEEF for investment in technologies such as solar water heaters. And it will promote a number of major investments, such as a waste to energy facility in Greater Amman Municipality, energy efficiency investments at Water and Irrigation pumping PV solar stations, PV street lighting and 300 PV solar water pumping systems in agricultural areas to help farmers and support climate change.
“As renewable energy technologies evolve and become cheaper, Jordan is very strategically placed to one day become a leading green energy supplier in the region, and the EU is delighted to partner with the Government, to support its very ambitious vision, said Ambassador Fontana.
Work on REEE II commenced on Nov 15, 2016 and will continue until Nov. 2019. It is being implemented by a consortium led by GFA (Germany) with support from Exergia (Greece), and Renac (Germany), all leading European consultancy and academy companies in the energy and energy efficiency sectors.