Cabinet endorses policy to use renewable energy in water sector

AMMAN — The Cabinet on Wednesday endorsed a policy statement for energy efficiency and renewable energy in the water sector.

The policy, drafted by the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, aims at expanding the exploitation of renewable energy sources to cover water pumping stations and wastewater treatment plants.

The policy statement, which falls within the ministry's 2025 renewable energy strategy, is projected to reduce the operational costs of water stations by JD40 million each year by 2020.

Presenting a briefing on the statement, Minister of Water and Irrigation Hazem Nasser said electric power consumed by the water sector accounts for 14 per cent of the Kingdom's total consumption of electricity.

Nasser also explained that the ministry has already embarked on a plan to improve the water sector through upgrading pumping stations and exploiting renewable energy systems.

He added that the ministry is moving ahead with implementing a 50-megawatt solar photovoltaic power plant project at a total cost of JD80 million presented as a grant from the EU and a soft loan by the German Development Bank (KfW).