The Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation signed a loan agreement and a guarantee agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), amounting to $56.5 million (approximately €54.7 million), to support the implementation of the Al-Shamal Station and Transmission Lines Project – Al-Shamal Green Station.
اضافة اعلان
In the presence of Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Zeina Toukan, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Dr. Saleh Al-Kharabsheh, and the EU delegation in Amman, the Director General of the National Electric Power Company (NEPCO), Engineer Sufyan Al-Bataineh, signed the concessional financing agreement. Meanwhile, Minister of Finance Dr. Abdel Hakim Al-Shibli signed the guarantee agreement for this financing. On behalf of the EBRD, the agreements were signed by Gretchen Biery, Head of the EBRD Office in Amman and Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Operations.
The ministers expressed their gratitude to the EBRD for its support of this vital project, which aligns with Jordan's Economic Modernization Vision and its ambitious renewable energy goals for 2030. The financing will be used to establish a new substation in northern Jordan, enhancing the grid's capacity to integrate existing and future renewable energy projects. It will also strengthen the high-voltage transmission network, increase the operational flexibility of power generation units in the region, and construct four overhead transmission lines, connecting them to existing substations in Samra, West Amman, Al-Hassan Industrial Zone, and Jerash. The new station will contribute to energy security by utilizing local green energy sources and improving energy flow within the national grid, while also facilitating regional interconnections.
Additionally, the European Union has provided a €12.4 million investment grant and a €2.2 million technical assistance grant to support the project's implementation. The ministers emphasized the strategic partnership with the EU, which helps open new avenues for cooperation and technical assistance, including capacity-building programs, vocational training in the electricity sector, and digital skill development to meet market demands.
Gretchen Biery, the EBRD’s Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, stated:
"We are proud to support NEPCO, in collaboration with the European Union, in developing electricity transmission infrastructure and strengthening Jordan’s energy sector. This project will enhance regional connectivity and support the country's green transition in line with the Economic Modernization Vision."
Since 2012, the EBRD’s cumulative investment portfolio in Jordan has reached approximately €2.3 billion, supporting both public and private sector projects across multiple industries, including renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, water, municipal infrastructure, solid waste management, transport, tourism, and local banking. The bank also provides financial facilities for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), with 55% of its funding allocated to the private sector, alongside technical assistance and advisory services across key cooperation sectors.
