Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) has signed a joint development agreement with the Jordanian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources to develop a 1 gigawatt (GW) wind project with a battery energy storage system (BESS).

 

A major utility project specialist in the region, Masdar has also inked a deal to explore the feasibility of establishing a green hydrogen plant near the Port of Aqaba. This comes as part of its ambitious target to achieve 1 million tonnes of green hydrogen production by 2030.

 

The company already has a big presence in Jordan through its Baynouna Solar Energy Company (BSCE), a joint venture with Finnish investment and asset management group Taaleri, which inaugurated the 200MW Baynouna Solar Park, the largest clean energy project in Jordan, in February.

 

The study will examine the feasibility of establishing a green hydrogen project near The Port of Aqaba that can produce the most cost-competitive hydrogen, utilizing desalinated seawater and dedicated renewable power.

 

Masdar CEO Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi signed the deal with the Jordanian Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Dr Saleh Al Kharabsheh at COP28 in the presence of UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, COP28 President and Masdar Chairman Dr Sultan Al Jaber and Jordan Minister of the Environment Dr Muawieh Khalid Radaideh.

 

"With substantial wind and solar resources that can be used to generate large amounts of renewable energy and produce cost-competitive green hydrogen and green fuels, Jordan has the potential to become a global powerhouse in the green energy transition," stated Al Ramahi. 

 

"Building on the strength of our longstanding partnership, Masdar is delighted to bring our expertise in clean energy projects and technologies to help Jordan achieve its decarbonization plans and unlock the nation’s enormous potential," he added.

 

Dr Al Kharabsheh said: "The Jordanian government’s efforts continue to enhance Jordan’s role as a regional center for green energy production and provide high-quality, cost-competitive green hydrogen fuel by taking advantage of the abundance of renewable energy sources and our nation’s strategic geographical location in the region to provide excellent access to European markets."

 

He pointed out that Jordan valued co-operation at the regional and national level, and that the partnership with Masdar – through the signing of these agreements – would help advance the ministry’s priorities and Jordan's Economic Modernization Vision (2023-2033).