NEPCO, Japan ink agreement to boost Kingdom’s energy sector

AMMAN — The National Electric Power Company (NEPCO) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on Thursday signed an agreement to connect renewable energy sources to the national electricity grid and increase the reliability of the Kingdom's electric power system. 

Under the agreement, JICA will offer aid and conduct technical studies in the electricity sector. As part of a feasibility study, grants will be awarded for energy storage technology, electricity connection and increasing the efficiency of the Kingdom's grid. 

The agreement aims to improve the Kingdom's electric power system and was signed by Energy Ministry Secretary General Amani Azzam, NEPCO Director General Amjad Rawashdeh and Chief Representative of the JICA Office in Amman Chie Miyahara, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Drawing attention to the role of the agreement in supporting NEPCO's efforts to produce renewable energy projects, Azzam voiced appreciation for the Japanese cooperation, especially in the field of energy.

Miyahara, stressing that the energy sector is a “pillar of development”, voiced keenness to further cooperation between the two countries in this arena.

In addition to underpinning NEPCO's work towards integrating renewable energy projects into the national grid, Rawashdeh said that the new agreement would ensure the Kingdom's electric system operates in accordance with the highest international standards.

He also expressed thanks for JICA's support to the company's projects, which are designed to increase the security of energy supply and enhance the stability of the electric system.