First commercial photovoltaic module goes operational

AMMAN — The Northern Badia project to generate electricity from solar power has been linked to the grid and is now operational, Irbid District Electricity Company announced Thursday.

The Badia Power Company (BPC) said that the 10-megawatt photovoltaic plant has begun operating on a commercial basis at a total cost of JD22 million, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The BPC, owned by Philadelphia Solar, is the first firm in the Kingdom to operate a commercial project to generate electricity from solar power, according to Petra.

Farouq Hiyari, president and chief commissioner of the Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission , said that the project was implemented in Manarah village in the Northern Badia region under a 20-year licence and will provide the grid with 22 gigawatts of electricity per year, Petra said. 

Philadelphia Solar introduces itself as the only Middle East Africa-based company established to  manufacture, develop, design, construct, own and operate solar plants. 

Established in 2007, the company exports its products to over 35 countries, with its biggest customers located in the UK, the Netherlands, and Germany.