Acwa Power has signed a power purchase agreement with National Electric Power Company (Nepco) for the development, funding, construction, ownership and operation of a new 61.3 MWp photovoltaic plant in the Risha province of Jordan.

With the Risha PV IPP, Acwa Power’s portfolio in Jordan now expands to eight assets with an aggregate capacity of 1,665 MW representing almost 40 per cent of the total installed capacity of electricity in the kingdom, and also reinforcing Acwa Power’s position as the country's largest IPP operator.

As per the agreement, Acwa Power will sell electricity to Nepco for a record-low tariff of JD42 fils per kWh, the lowest tariff for solar energy ever presented for a Jordan-based project, 3.3 per cent lower than the previous lowest tariff provided to Jordan with the Mafraq PV project (also developed by Acwa Power under the Round II of Proposals for Renewable Energy in Jordan).

The deal was signed as part of the official visit by King Salman to Jordan, during which the Saudi and Jordanian governments signed a number of agreements, Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and joint investment deals.

“This landmark project in Risha is a significant step forward in achieving Jordan’s renewable energy targets and providing stable and economical electricity supply in Jordan. Once completed in 2019, the plant will save 79.000 metric tons of CO2, demonstrating Jordan’s commitment to renewable energy,” remarked Abdel Fattah Al Daradkeh, the managing director of Nepco.

Acwa Power chairman Mohammad Abunayyan said the kingdom has long recognised that renewable energy can offer safe, reliable power to the public.

"Together with our consortium, Acwa Power has facilitated the kingdom’s latest investment by applying our cost leadership and renewables expertise to the Risha facility. Once complete, the project will deliver solar energy at the lowest possible cost to 12,000 households," he noted.

Thamer Al Sharhan, the chairman of Cegco, said: "Access to energy is a bedrock of sustainable economic development, and we are proud to partner with Jordan on its journey to, not only 1,000 MW of renewable energy, but to the kind of risk reductions, job creation, and improved trade balances that can accompany greater energy deployment."

"The new photovoltaic facility is part of the kingdom’s determined effort to meet those needs head-on. Demand for electricity in Jordan is climbing at 7 per cent per year, due to the country’s population booms and mounting industrial needs," he noted.

Acwa Power will be developing the new clean energy plant besides the existing Cegco asset of the Risha 150 MW Gas Turbine Plant utilizing synergies from the existing plant to enhance efficiencies.-TradeArabia News Service