AMMAN: Jordan on Thursday officially launched several EU-funded renewable energy and energy efficiency demonstration projects.
The nine projects, launched as part of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Programme that started in 2012, represent the first EU support programme to the energy sector in Jordan, according to officials. “The series of projects launched today are very important in boosting Jordan’s adoption of renewable energy,” Energy Minister Ibrahim Saif said at the launch. “The projects will help raise awareness about the importance of renewable energy and increase adoption of this clean technology,” he added.
Some of the projects entail raising awareness on renewable energy at public schools and using renewable energy solutions to generate power. Other projects include renewable energy usage in hospitals and the healthcare sector.”The rising energy bill places growing pressure on the state budget and boosting reliance on renewable energy is our priority at this stage,” the minister noted.According to the EU, the projects cover a wide range of sectors such as schools, places of worship, hospitals, host communities of refugees, energy efficiency in buildings, renewable energy generation facilities, projects to turn waste into gas, and water and food security.
The European Union seeks to further cooperate with Jordan in the sector of green energy, EU Ambassador Joanna Wronecka said, highlighting the importance of using renewable energy in vital development sectors. Initial implementation of the demonstration projects, which cover several development sectors, started in February 2015, with a time frame ranging from 12 to 30 months.
