Jordan's Risha solar plant to power 12,000 households annually

AMMAN — ACWA Power and the National Electric Power Company (NEPCO) in Jordan officially announced on Wednesday that the 50-megawatt Risha Solar PV Independent Power Plant (IPP) commenced commercial operations on December 1, after completing all the required commissioning and start-up tests.

According to an ACWA Power statement, 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 (0.042JD/kilowatt-hour).

The Risha PV IPP was developed in line with the ambitions of the government to attract investment and ensure a 20-per cent contribution of renewable energy to the total energy mix of the country by 2020, the statement said.

Managing Director of ACWA Power Thamer Al Sharhan said: “The project will be managed and operated by distinguished local talent trained at 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.”

“We look forward to expanding our investments in the energy sector in the Kingdom — one of the most mature and developed markets in the field,” he was quoted in the statement as saying.

The Risha PV plant is located in the Risha area of Mafraq Governorate, some 300 kilometres northeast 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 statement said.

The Risha PV IPP was financed by a number of international and regional financial entities including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Deutsche Investitions-Und Entwicklungsgesellschaft Mbh and Arab Bank.