Irbid, Feb. 9 (Petra) 

A government-run fund on Thursday kicked off a major project to install about 200,000 solar water heaters and 100,000 solar electric systems at homes across the Kingdom in a bid to encourage a nationwide shift towards renewable energy and, simultaneously, ease dependence on fossil fuel.

The Jordan Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Fund (JREEEF), signed agreements today with 20 charities in the northern governorate of Irbid to start the actual installation of the solar systems. Under the project, the fund will subside the cost for each home by 50 per cent while the other 50 per cent can be paid at cost price through various channels.

A ceremony was held to mark the inception of the project which also entails the installation of one million energy-efficient bulbs. JREEEF Director, Rasmi Hamza, said the project mainly targets homes whose monthly consumption of electricity is less than 600 kilowatts. He explained that the move aims to increase dependence on clean energy and slash a heavy bill the government pays to support the energy sector. He hoped that 20 per cent of homes in the Kingdom use solar water heaters.

At a later stage, Hamza noted, the fund will launch similar programs that target public buildings, including schools and places of worship and the services sector.

© Jordan News Agency - Petra 2017