RIYADH — Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV), part of Abdul Latif Jameel Energy, has started construction of two of the largest solar PV projects in Jordan that will provide 80,000 homes with clean energy, it was announced Tuesday.

The solar plants – called Mafraq I and Mafraq II - will generate approximately two percent of Jordan's total generation capacity, enough to supply more than 80,000 households. Totaling 133.4 MW DC, each project will avoid the emission of over 80,000 tons of CO2 per year, equivalent to removing approximately 17,000 cars from the country's highways.

The projects will create an estimated 500 jobs during their construction and will supply power at 6.9 and 7.6 US cents per kWh, respectively, prices below the average cost of electricity in Jordan.

The announcement, part of Abdul Latif Jameel’s commitment to being the leading solar development company in the Middle East, was marked by an event involving Dr. Ibrahim Saif, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, the Chairman of the National Electric Power Company (NEPCO) Eng. Khaldoun Qutishat, the former Minister Energy and Mineral Resources Dr. Hisham Elkhateb, the former Minister of Commerce and Industry Dr. Jawad Anani, FRV and Abdul Latif Jameel.

Omar Al-Madhi, CEO of Abdul Latif Jameel Energy, Saudi Arabia, said: “The Saudi Arabian government set out a clear goal to develop a renewable energy sector that meets the country’s future energy needs. We at Abdul Latif Jameel Energy are looking to play our part in making that a reality by helping to create a home-grown renewable energy industry within Saudi Arabia, creating local employment opportunities, and bringing the experience from our international projects home – like the one in Jordan.”

Moreover, he said “our ambition is to not only be the leading solar development company in the Middle East, but one that helps deliver on Saudi 2030 Vision.”

As part of its commitment to the social and economic development of the communities where it operates, FRV together with IFC, EBRD and PROPARCO, signed two scholarship agreements with IE University related to its projects in Jordan. The scholarships, called Young Talented Leaders, are intended to cover the training and accommodation expenses of two Jordanian students for the completion of bachelor's degree courses at IE University in Madrid. One of them has been awarded to the student Sarah Riyad al Atiyat, who began her studies last September, and the other one will be awarded for this academic year 2017-2018. — SG