Workshop on Mujib Dam Hydroelectric Energy Storage Feasibility Study Takes Place in Amman

Amman, September 22 (Petra) — The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, in cooperation with the Ministry of Planning, the World Bank, and with support from the Norwegian Embassy in Jordan, organized a workshop on Sunday titled “Feasibility Study of Mujib Dam for Pumped Hydroelectric Energy Storage.”

The Mujib Dam project is part of Jordan’s effort to increase renewable energy use and reduce dependency on imports. The project, based on a 2022 feasibility study, aims to store 3,150 megawatt-hours of energy, equal to seven hours of electricity storage, by 2030.

The project, supported by the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ) and the European Union, began in 2018 and is included in Jordan’s comprehensive energy sector plan for 2020-2030.

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Saleh Kharabsheh, who patronized the event, underscored the importance of energy storage technology in achieving global climate goals, particularly in reducing the Earth’s temperature by 1.5 degrees amidst accelerating climate change.

Jordan’s electricity sector is preparing to implement a 450-megawatt energy storage project at the Mujib Dam, utilizing water pumping and storage technology.

Kharabsheh highlighted the project’s potential to boost local energy contributions and renewable energy’s share in the national energy mix, contributing to Jordan’s leadership in the field of sustainable energy.

He noted that Jordan’s energy strategy for 2020-2030 aims to increase renewable energy’s share to 30% of electricity generation, with hopes to raise this to 50% by 2050.

World Bank representative Holly Benner emphasized the project’s potential to transform Jordan’s energy sector and enhance energy security.

Meanwhile, the World Bank’s energy official in Jordan, Muhammad Qamh, confirmed the bank’s collaboration with the Jordanian government to achieve the project’s objectives, aiming for 50% of electricity from renewable sources by 2050.

The National Electric Power Company also reviewed a study on the project during the workshop, which covered topics like global experiences in water storage, technical and financial assessments, and environmental and social considerations.

//Petra// AJ
22/09/2024 14:52:16