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Jordan's Shams Ma’an project receives grant boost

A grant agreement between the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) and Jordan-based Kawar Energy for USD$617,204 has been signed. The agreement will allow the feasibility of the Shams Ma’an project - expected to be one of the world’s largest photovoltaic (PV) power plants - to be examined.

The agreement saw Kawa receive USD$617,204. Image Ma'an Development Area.

In a continuing effort by the USTDA to support the deployment of new clean energy technologies in the region, USTDA director, The Honorable Leocadia I. Zak concluded three grant agreements with Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan to advance solar power development.

The USD$617,204 grant for Jordan was signed with Kawar Energy at the MENA Power 2010 Forum in Cairo, Egypt. It will be used to help Kawar Energy examine the feasibility of Shams Ma’an project and to assist in developing a well-defined implementation plan, including a technology evaluation and a facility and equipment assessment.

Mr. Hanna Zaghloul, CEO of Kawar Energy commented: "We are thankful for USTDA’s support and endorsement to Shams Ma’an’s project. The grant is a millstone in progressing the project forward and surely will help us in determining the right technology to utilize and in site assessment.

"Furthermore, the grant will assist Kawar Energy in measuring the environmental impact as well as the social and economical impact on Ma’an’s region and the country as a whole. We anticipate that the study will act as the road map for the project implementation."

The project is expected to have an initial capacity of 100 megawatts and will be located in the southern parts of Jordan. The full production of this USD$400 million plan should be recognized in 2012, and should help Jordan to achieve 25 percent of its targeted seven percent renewable energy contribution toward the kingdom’s power capacity by the year 2015.