Pangea
08-13-2009, 10:43 AM
At the Renewable Energy Day, sponsored by the German embassy in Amman and the Irbid Chamber of Industry, officials discussed future energy prospects in the Kingdom, investment opportunities and the application of solar systems, highlighting the potential for growth in a sector that experts say can create thousands of jobs.
Pointing out that the renewable energy sector led to significant job growth in Germany, German Ambassador to Jordan Joachim Heidorn said there is room for bilateral cooperation in both the public and private sectors in renewable energy technology and exchange of expertise.
"Jordan, like Germany, has no oil and no gas. This means Jordan has to import energy, which is costly and depends heavily on others," the ambassador said, noting that Jordan's blend of wind and solar resources makes the country an ideal candidate for investment and innovation.
"I see very good opportunities for cooperation in renewable energy between Germany and Jordan," he noted, adding that renewable energy has the potential to create economic growth and boost employment across the region.
Meanwhile, Irbid Mayor Abdul Raouf Tal noted that renewable energy can help alleviate the negative impact of climate change in Jordan.
"We want aid and assistance in keeping our environment clean and free of pollutants," he stressed.
Vice President of the Irbid Chamber of Industry Hani Abu Hassan, underlined the numerous business opportunities in the sector, while National Energy Research Centre Engineer Muhieddin Tawalbeh noted that thermal solar systems can help cut down on energy consumption of residential buildings, hotels, hospitals and other institutions.
As 96 per cent of the Kingdom's energy is currently imported, accounting for over 20 per cent of its gross domestic product, the country's national energy strategy calls for utilising local alternative energy resources.
Under the plan, renewable energy is to account for 10 per cent of Jordan's energy mix by 2020.
In addition to 600 megawatts (MW) of wind and 300-600MW of solar energy, the government is looking to generate 30-50MW of biomass by 2020. With the advancement of wind power technology, the ministry has said it may double its goal of 600MW of wind energy by 2020.
The first renewable energy project is a wind power plant in Kamsheh, expected to produce 30-40MW of electricity starting next year.
More... (http://www.renewableenergyconferences.com/index.php?do=viewarticle&artid=70)
Pointing out that the renewable energy sector led to significant job growth in Germany, German Ambassador to Jordan Joachim Heidorn said there is room for bilateral cooperation in both the public and private sectors in renewable energy technology and exchange of expertise.
"Jordan, like Germany, has no oil and no gas. This means Jordan has to import energy, which is costly and depends heavily on others," the ambassador said, noting that Jordan's blend of wind and solar resources makes the country an ideal candidate for investment and innovation.
"I see very good opportunities for cooperation in renewable energy between Germany and Jordan," he noted, adding that renewable energy has the potential to create economic growth and boost employment across the region.
Meanwhile, Irbid Mayor Abdul Raouf Tal noted that renewable energy can help alleviate the negative impact of climate change in Jordan.
"We want aid and assistance in keeping our environment clean and free of pollutants," he stressed.
Vice President of the Irbid Chamber of Industry Hani Abu Hassan, underlined the numerous business opportunities in the sector, while National Energy Research Centre Engineer Muhieddin Tawalbeh noted that thermal solar systems can help cut down on energy consumption of residential buildings, hotels, hospitals and other institutions.
As 96 per cent of the Kingdom's energy is currently imported, accounting for over 20 per cent of its gross domestic product, the country's national energy strategy calls for utilising local alternative energy resources.
Under the plan, renewable energy is to account for 10 per cent of Jordan's energy mix by 2020.
In addition to 600 megawatts (MW) of wind and 300-600MW of solar energy, the government is looking to generate 30-50MW of biomass by 2020. With the advancement of wind power technology, the ministry has said it may double its goal of 600MW of wind energy by 2020.
The first renewable energy project is a wind power plant in Kamsheh, expected to produce 30-40MW of electricity starting next year.
More... (http://www.renewableenergyconferences.com/index.php?do=viewarticle&artid=70)