2nd phase of programme to support households with solar cells launched

AMMAN — The Renewable Energy Fund at the Ministry of Energy on Sunday launched the second phase of the national programme to support households in obtaining solar cells and heaters, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Energy Minister Saleh Kharabsheh, who is also the fund's board of directors chairman, signed agreements with representatives of the Islamic Bank, Cairo Amman Bank, Safwa Bank, and Capital Bank, allowing people to benefit from the programme through facilitated installments.

In a press statement, Kharabsheh stressed the importance of the programme in creating a direct economic, social and environmental impact on target groups, noting that the government will cover 30 per cent of the cost of solar cells and heaters provided for households, which will contribute to ameliorating the burden of monthly electricity bills for families.

The government will provide support to solar systems with a capacity of up to 3.6 kilowatts, Kharabsheh said, highlighting that those systems will also be covered by electricity subsidies, whether installed in the first or second phase of the programme.

Kharabsheh stressed the importance of the project in stimulating the work of companies specialised in renewable energy and solar heating, which will provide additional direct and indirect job opportunities in a number of governorates, leading to a direct local developmental impact.

He stressed that this programme reflects the government's desire to support Jordanians by offering subsidies to their monthly electricity bill as well as the Kingdom’s continued work for a gradual energy transition in various sectors to achieve sustainability. 

Rasmi Hamzeh, the director of the fund, said that following the four banks’ joining the programme, similar agreements will be signed with 25 local associations in various governorates.

Hamzeh added that the launch of the second phase comes after installing solar cells and heaters for 4,500 households in the first phase, with a total financing volume amounting to JD15 million.