UAE’s Masdar to collaborate with Jordan’s energy ministry on renewable energy projects

Abu Dhabi-based renewable energy company Masdar has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Jordan’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources to explore collaboration in renewable energy projects.

Both sides will explore development and investment in renewable energy projects in the Hashemite kingdom of Jordan with a production capacity of up to 2GW. The memorandum also includes exchange of expertise and knowledge in the areas of renewable energy and infrastructure development, including electricity transformation, distribution, and exportation, Masdar said in a statement on Thursday.

#Masdar has signed an MoU with #Jordan’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources to explore collaboration in #RenewableEnergy projects with a total capacity of up to 2 gigawatts (GW).#MasdarAtCOP27 pic.twitter.com/WYhE2HBEnu

— Masdar (@Masdar) November 17, 2022

Through the MoU, Masdar may significantly scale its renewable energy footprint in Jordan, which currently includes two major renewable energy plants.

“This new MoU to explore the development of 2GW capacity is a testament to the close brotherly relationship between the UAE and Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan as well as our shared commitment to sustainability and decarbonisation,” said Dr Sultan Al Jaber, chairman of Masdar.

“The projects being explored through this memorandum would support Jordan’s ambitious renewable energy goals and help to ensure energy security for the nation. As we look toward hosting COP28 in the UAE next year, Masdar is dedicated to supporting our neighboring countries in the Middle East in their energy transitions,” added Dr Al Jaber, who is also UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Special Envoy for Climate Change.

In 2015, Masdar delivered the 117 megawatt (MW) Tafila Wind Farm in Jordan, which raised increased the country’s total power capacity by 3 per cent.

“Jordan is already a pioneer in renewable energy development in the region, where it currently produces around 29 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources, and aims to increase this share to 50 perc ent by 2030. The country is also looking to become a regional hub for green energy production benefiting from the abundance of renewable energy energies, in addition to its central location in the Middle East and Africa,” added Dr Saleh Al-Kharabsheh, Jordanian Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources.

Masdar was also the developer and lead partner on the 200MW Baynouna project, Jordan’s largest single solar energy project. Since 2020, the project has been meeting the annual power needs of approximately 160,000 homes, displacing an estimated 360,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year. It generates 563 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity each year, equivalent to 4 per cent of the annual energy consumption of Jordan, the statement added.