The launch of the Baynouna solar and photovoltaic energy station, which is situated close to the Muwaqar region east of Amman, was attended on Saturday by Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh.
The station, which has a 200 megawatt output capacity, is Jordan's largest project of its sort. According to the Jordan News Agency, Petra, the station is a joint venture between the Finnish investment and asset management firm Taaleri and the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Corporation Masdar, a world leader in renewable energy.
Khasawneh emphasized the strategic and historical ties between the Kingdom and the UAE during a ceremony that was also attended by Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and High Technologies, COP28 President-Designate, and Chairman of Masdar.
The UN Climate Conference (COP28), which was held in the UAE and was presided over by Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, was also praised by the prime minister for its success in addressing climate change's concerns. The kingdom "will spare no effort to ensure the success of this important international event," the prime minister promised.
Al Jaber claimed that the launch of the Baynouna station is in keeping with the UAE leadership's instructions to carry out initiatives that support collaborative effective climate action with Jordan, distribute clean energy solutions widely, and promote sustainable development.
In addition to the project's significance as a job creator and promoter of economic development, he emphasized its contribution to Jordan's clean energy and climate goals.
Masdar helps Jordan's attempts to generate 29% of its electricity from renewable sources through the Baynouna solar energy station and the Tafileh wind farm project, assisting the Kingdom in realizing its target of 50% renewable energy by the end of the decade.
Energy Minister Saleh Kharabsheh stated that a power purchase agreement between Masdar and the National Electric Power Company allowed for the development of the Baynouna station (NEPCO).
According to Kharabsheh, the station produces more than 560 gigawatt/hours of energy annually, which is enough to power about 160,000 homes.
The station "helps prevent the emission of 360,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide yearly, which is equivalent to neutralizing emissions from about 80,000 automobiles on the roads," the energy minister continued.
The International Finance Corporation, the OPEC Fund for International Development, the German Development Bank (KfW), and the Japan International Cooperation Agency all provided funding in some capacity to the Baynouna project.
According to Taaleri Group CEO Peter Ramsay, this "excellent project" exemplifies the importance of the alliance between Masdar and Taaleri, two significant participants in the renewable energy sector.
The Tafileh wind farm project, a 117MW commercial wind power plant in Jordan and the first of its kind in the area at the time, was finished by Masdar in 2015.
In November of last year, Masdar and the Jordanian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources signed a memorandum of understanding to look into potential for the development of renewable energy projects with a maximum output capacity of 2GW.
The energy transformation process will be the main topic of discussion during the COP28 summit, which the UAE is preparing to host in November and December. Almost 70,000 officials and specialists from the public and business sectors are expected to attend the conference, which is the largest meeting of decision-makers and experts on climate and sustainability in the world. COP28 will take place at the Dubai Expo.