Trina Solar, a global leader in photovoltaic (PV) modules, solutions, and services, said it has signed an agreement with Jordan's Shamsuna Power Company to design, build, operate and maintain its 10MW solar project in Aqaba region of the kingdom.

The construction work at the Shamsuna solar project is scheduled to start next month with the completion and grid connection expected in the second quarter of 2015, said a statement from the Chinese group.

Foursan Capital Partners will hold a 85 per cent stake in the project, while Shamasuna Power will hold the remaining  15 per cent. The project is being financed by International Finance Corporation (IFC) and a small syndicate of lenders.

Once the plant is completed, Trina Solar will provide the operation and maintenance services based on a five-year service agreement with scope for another five-year extension.

The solar farm, located in the Aqaba Special Economic Zone, will utilize 40,320 of Trina Solar's 250Wp TSM- PC05A modules. Once operational, it will be the largest solar farm in Aqaba, said the statement.

Trina Solar said the power generated by the project will be sold to Jordan's National Electric Power Company under a 20-year power purchase agreement.

The project will generate over 19 GWh of power annually, helping to meet the growing demand for electricity in Jordan and reducing carbon emissions by approximately 11,500 tons per year, it added.

Shadi Haddadin, the solar plant manager at Shamsuna, expresssed delight at working with Trina Solar to build the largest solar farm in Aqaba.

"Trina Solar's global leadership, durable quality modules, as well as its proven track record distinguishes it as the best partner for us to work with. We regard this partnership as a win-win endeavor, and we look forward to continuing our success by working with Trina Solar again in the future," he added.

"We are excited to be part of this groundbreaking project and are proud to have been accepted by IFC as the engineering, procurement and construction provider for this project," said

Qi Lin, the president of PV systems business unit of Trina Solar, said: "The project provides us with valuable first-hand experience in operating a solar system in a desert environment, as well as substantial knowledge of local grid companies that will help Trina Solar accelerate its pace of project development in the Middle East."-TradeArabia News Service