Middle East - Jordan to float tender for three wind power plants in 2009

The Jordan Times reported that Ministry of Energy is looking to launch a tender for three wind energy plants across the southern region by the end of the year.

Mr Ziyad Jibril Ministry of Energy renewable energy department director said that wind turbine stations at Al Harir, Maan and Wadi Araba will be packaged together in the tender in order to produce a combined 300 MW to 400 MW of wind energy.

According to Mr Jibril, the sites are to be grouped together in one tender for one company to develop and construct over the same period of time in an effort to increase the amount of renewable energy in the country.

Due to advancements and affordability in the technology, the ministry recently updated the National Energy Strategy to produce 600 MW of wind energy by 2015, 5 years ahead of schedule.

According to the ministry, the three plants would join Jordan's first wind power plant, a 30 MW to 40 MW plant in Kamsheh near Jerash, scheduled to be operational in 2010. The government and a Greek firm are currently in final discussions regarding the tender.

The tender for the second wind plant in Fujeij near Petra will be floated later this month in an effort to produce 80 MW to 90 MW of wind energy at the site by 2011.

For more information please contact Trevor Sievert at ts@windfair.net