Amman– Prime Minister Dr. Jaafar Hassan witnessed the signing of the contract for the Aqaba-Amman Water Desalination and Conveyance Project (National Carrier Project) this Sunday at the Prime Ministry.
اضافة اعلان
The agreement was signed between the government, represented by the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, and an investor consortium led by Meridiam and Suez.
The contract signing with qualified companies represents a pivotal milestone, allowing the project to proceed with financial closure procedures and move toward on-ground implementation.
This aligns with the royal directives for accelerating national strategic projects as part of the government's economic modernization plan.
The project aims to desalinate 300 million cubic meters of seawater annually from the Gulf of Aqaba, providing sustainable solutions to the water shortage.
The agreement was signed by Minister of Water and Irrigation, Eng. Raed Abu Al-Saud, and Jad Haribi, Director of Meridiam in Jordan, representing the investor consortium.
The ceremony was attended by Minister of Government Communication Dr. Mohammad Al-Momani, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Zeina Toukan, U.S. Ambassador Yael Lempert, and representatives from both companies.
Minister Abu Al-Saud emphasized that this significant step reflects the project's tangible progress, with continuous government follow-up as it is a priority under the government’s economic work plan in partnership with the private sector.
He highlighted ongoing efforts to finalize financial closure procedures and begin technical and engineering preparations for project facilities.
Project Highlights
The National Carrier Project will feature one of the world's largest desalination plants, using advanced reverse osmosis technology to convert seawater into drinking water.
The system includes a 450-kilometer water conveyance pipeline from the Gulf of Aqaba to Amman, high-capacity pumping stations, and renewable energy components.
This initiative is designed to deliver 300 million cubic meters of desalinated water annually to meet the needs of most regions in Jordan.
It is part of the national strategy to secure sustainable water resources and improve water supply quality across the Kingdom.
The project also aligns with Jordan's energy strategy to generate 31% of electricity from renewable sources by 2030, addressing water shortages while ensuring future drinking water needs are met.
Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Model
Leveraging past experiences in water sector improvements, the Ministry of Water and Irrigation adopted a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model for the project.
Under this agreement, the Meridiam-Suez consortium will finance, design, build, operate, and maintain the system during the concession period, which includes the construction phase and 26 years of operation. Ownership of the project will fully transfer to the Ministry of Water and Irrigation after the concession ends.
Key Benefits
The project will provide 300 million cubic meters of potable water annually, sufficient for approximately 4 million citizens. It aims to alleviate pressure on Jordan's overexploited groundwater and surface water resources, naturally replenishing aquifers and ensuring reliable water access for citizens.
The initiative was accelerated with support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), whose technical and advisory teams, along with the efforts of water sector specialists, contributed significantly to achieving this milestone.
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