ACWA Power and the National Electric Power Company (NEPCO) in Jordan officially announced Wednesday that the 50 MW Risha Solar PV Independent Power Plant (IPP) has initiated commercial operations as of December 1, after completing all the required commissioning and start-up tests.
The power purchase agreement for Risha PV was initially signed by ACWA Power and NEPCO in 2017, setting the lowest tariff for renewable energy in Jordan at the time (0.042 JD/kWh).
The Risha PV IPP was developed in line with Jordan’s government ambitions to attract investment and ensure a 20 percent contribution of renewable energy in the total energy mix of the country by 2020.
“This project is estimated to generate around 115 GWh per annum and will pave Jordan’s future path for economic growth,” said Managing Director of NEPCO Amjad Rawashdeh.
“NEPCO is keen to uphold its commitment to deploying renewable energy projects while sustaining the reliability and stability of our electrical system, which is one of the finest in the region.”
Through utilizing existing infrastructure, NEPCO was able to reduce the overall costs of the project and increase its efficiency, he added.
Moreover, this project will benefit the adjacent local communities, by creating jobs, and contracting services from local companies.
“This project is one of the many investments made by ACWA Power in the Jordanian energy sector, and we are confident in the success of our partnership with them,” Rawashdeh noted.
Managing Director of ACWA PowerEng. Thamer al-Sharhan, for his part, said Jordan is a strategic stronghold market for ACWA Power, now having eight plants with over 1,600 MW power generation capacity.
“It has immense growth opportunities as it seeks to diversify its energy mix and secure sustainable power supply,” Sharhan said, adding the company looks forward to continuing its contribution to the country’s socio-economic development and the welfare of its people through the Risha PV project.
He noted that the project will be operational as per the specified timeframe in the contractual agreement.
“ACWA Power is proud to have been entrusted with the delivery of the Risha PV IPP based on our considerable international expertise in the solar power generation sector.”
Sharhan stressed that the project will be managed and operated by distinguished local talent trained at the highest industry standards of efficiency and professionalism.
The Risha PV plant is a key addition to ACWA Power’s portfolio in the renewable energy sector, he said.
The Risha PV plant is located in Risha Area, Mafraq Governorate (300km north-east of Amman).
With a capacity to power approximately 12,000 households every year, it will support the country in increasing its renewable energy capacity and reducing its reliance on costly hydrocarbon imports in addition to saving 1.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide over 20 years.
The plant was financed by a number of renowned international and regional financial entities including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Deutsche Investitions- Und Entwicklungsgesellschaft Mbh (DEG) and Arab Bank.
