Amman, May 12 (Petra) – Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Saleh Kharabsheh, on Monday launched the National Program to Support the Household Sector with Solar Water Heaters, offering a 50 percent subsidy funded through a grant from the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security. The program is implemented in partnership with the Ministry’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Fund at a total cost of JD 5 million.

Speaking during a press conference attended by the Fund’s Executive Director Rasmi Hamzeh and representatives of participating civil society organizations, Kharabsheh said the program targets low-income Jordanian families whose combined monthly household income does not exceed JD 750 and who do not own more than one vehicle.

The program will be implemented over four years and aims to install around 12,000 solar water heaters across various governorates, complementing the Ministry’s ongoing support program that provides a 30 percent subsidy.

Kharabsheh underlined that the initiative contributes to the equitable distribution of government support and enables low-income households to reduce electricity consumption by shifting to clean energy sources. He added that the initiative will reduce fossil fuel emissions and contribute to environmental and economic sustainability, saving families approximately JD 20 per month on their electricity bills.

“We hope this program will fulfill its goals by reaching the largest possible segment of the target group and achieving the desired results within the applicable regulatory and legal frameworks,” Kharabsheh said.

For his part, Hamzeh noted that the new initiative builds on the Fund’s efforts to support the household sector since 2015. He said it underscores the government’s commitment to easing electricity costs for citizens while advancing the broader goal of transitioning to sustainable energy sources.

Hamzeh emphasized the importance of partnerships with donor agencies, commercial banks, and local associations in ensuring the program’s implementation and outreach. He added that the Fund aims to install 90,000 solar water heaters by 2035, aligning with the Economic Modernization Vision. The current penetration rate of solar water heaters across governorates stands at 24 percent.

On the sidelines of the launch, Kharabsheh signed cooperation agreements with civil society organizations involved in implementing the program, affirming their role as key partners in delivering support to beneficiaries across the Kingdom.

Implementation will follow procedures outlined in the official guide, available through the government’s “Sanad” digital platform, designed in cooperation with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship. The platform enables citizens to register and receive preliminary approval, provided they meet the eligibility criteria.

Beneficiaries will choose service providers from an approved list of contractors certified by the Energy Fund. Priority will be given to local contractors operating in the beneficiary’s governorate or region.

Details on eligibility, application procedures, and technical specifications for the systems are available in the program guide, which can be accessed via the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources’ website (memr.gov.jo), the electronic platform (solareenergy.gov.jo), the Energy Fund’s social media channels (JREEEF), or through participating banks.

//Petra// AJ
12/05/2025 15:37:18