The following is Jordan News Agency's (PETRA) report as part of FANA's economic file
AMMAN, Feb 12 (KUNA) -- The pace of achievement in the overall energy scene in Jordan has accelerated during the past years, as a package of integrated projects and programs in various sectors has been implemented.
The Jordan Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Fund (JREEEF) has made progress in the field of small-scale projects, such as solar generation systems on rooftops, which formed an integral achievement in the public energy landscape in the Kingdom, while the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has also succeeded in accomplishing major investment projects, according to the JREEEF.
Only in four years, the Fund shaped a milestone in the work of the energy rationalization and renewable energy sector, pointing out to the Fund's successful projects in these fields, as well as the small-scale interventions for renewable energy, such as rooftops solar systems, JREEEF Executive Director, Rasmi Hamzeh, said to "Petra".
"JREEEF projects worked to maximize investment and create job opportunities, as the total cost of these projects amounted to about JD 50 million (USD 70 million), which have an economic and social impact on the citizen and the country," he added.
According to statistics, the current annual growth rate of demand for electrical energy in Jordan is about three percent, and the same applies to demand on electrical energy.
With regard to this, Hamzeh referred to the Fund's efforts in promoting renewable energy, stating that the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs had confirmed earlier that providing solar systems for Mosques has achieved financial savings of about JD 200,000 per month, equivalent to saving JD 2.4 million annually.
On his part, spokesman for the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Mashour Abu Eid, said the ministry will focus in the coming period on the security of energy supply and availability at affordable prices.
This means reducing energy costs and sustainability, in addition to increasing the reliance on local sources, as part of the ministry's endeavors to diversify energy sources and forms, and increase the contribution of local energy sources to the total energy sector, he indicated.
"The ministry seeks to increase energy efficiency in all sectors and reduce its cost on the national economy, as well as developing the entire sector system in Jordan to make it a regional center for energy exchange in all its forms," Abu Eid said.
He added the ministry's strategy focuses on a self-reliance scenario with the aim of increasing reliance on domestic energy sources, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving energy efficiency.
Within the framework of heating schools to create a suitable environment for education, the Fund has chosen around 128 schools in the Kingdom's coolest regions, in addition to the Jordan Valley areas, to implement energy rationing schemes, heating and cooling systems, and depend on renewable energy, at a cost of JD 10 million, JREEEF Executive Directo, Rasmi Hamzeh said.
The project will contribute to assisting the Ministry of Education in reducing the electricity bill, which amounts about JD 15 million yearly, he added.
In the domestic sector, the Fund installed 28,000 solar water heaters in houses with a subsidy of 50 percent at a cost of JD 14 million, Hamzah explained, pointing out 1,600 solar systems to generate electricity were also installed at a total cost of JD three millions and about 200,000 "LED " lights were distributed in partnership with electricity distribution companies.
Hamza pointed out 520 solar systems for power generation have also been installed in the kingdom's mosques, at a total cost of JD nine million, which contributed to reducing the electricity bill "significantly" paid by the Ministry of Awqaf, estimated at about JD eight million annually.
The Fund, he said, has signed deals with 73 factories to implement energy conservation and renewable energy projects, at a total cost reaching JD 20 million, to support the industry sector, increase its competitiveness and create new job opportunities.
He also noted the energy efficiency program in medium- and small-scale industrial enterprises, implemented by the Fund in cooperation with the Jordan Chamber of Industry, provided support to about 70 factories.
On her part, the JREEEF's Project Development Manager, Lina Mubiddin, told "Petra" the program includes monitoring and assessment of its stages with the factory owner aimed to encourage factories to implement energy saving and renewable energy.
The program aims at achieving the energy sector's strategic goals to reduce energy consumption, improve its efficiency in various fields, support the industrial sector and increase its competitiveness, she said.
Mubiddin added that the program encourages the use of renewable energy technologies applications, and the reduction of final energy consumption in small and medium industrial enterprises, in cooperation with all concerned stakeholders. (end) mk.gta