Wind Energy

Wind power in Jordan: Fujeij wind farm

The ministry is expected to formally notify the companies within the next two days, with the winner to be selected by the end of the year. Meanwhile, the ministry is moving closer to selecting international consultants to prepare the Kingdom for integrating wind energy projects into the local market.

As part of $6 million Jordan received from the World Bank-funded Global Environment Facility (GEF), the government will be looking for consultants to help build and manage the wind power market in the Kingdom. Late last month, the ministry narrowed down the field from hundreds to 18 potential consultants, according to the official.

Companies from Italy, Canada, the UK, the Netherlands, Germany and the US have been short-listed to assist the National Electric Power Company in integrating wind farms into the national grid.

Meanwhile, some $3 million of the funds provided by the GEF will be injected into the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Fund to finance the price gap between electricity produced by renewable energy projects and the market price, starting with the Fujeij project.

Known for its affordability and relatively quick construction period, wind power has been prioritised as a key part of the Kingdom’s strategy for greater energy independence.

In order to facilitate renewable energy projects, the Renewable Energy Law, which was recently approved by a Royal Decree as temporary legislation, allows the ministry to negotiate with companies directly, and requires proposals for projects to state fixed electricity tariffs.

The Fujeij wind farm is seen as a first step towards realising the National Energy Strategy, which calls for 7 per cent of the Kingdom’s energy mix to come from renewable energy sources by 2015.

www.jordantimes.com