Jordan to Construct Wind Farm in Fujeij

A recent study by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of Jordan found that the southern region of the Kingdom has more wind potential to locate the proposed wind farm to produce 400 MW of clean energy. Mahmoud Eiss, a spokesman for the ministry said that the identified sites are located in Tafileh, Maan and Wadi Araba Governorates. He added that the government is deliberating to have a number of wind projects in the locations.

According to the study Fujeij, a place located around 200 km away in the southern part of the capital, is found to have the highest wind potential of 6.7 m/s. The government is planning to build an 80 to 90 MW wind farm in the location. More than 16 national and international wind energy companies have shown interest in the Fuejij plant construction. The government is considering a proposal to construct the plant on build-operate-own terms at an anticipated cost of $150 million. The capacity of the plant can be augmented to 200 MW in due course. The government has announced December 19 as the last date for submitting the tenders and said that the successful bid will be declared in February 2011.

In the meantime the Ministry is continuing its dialogues with Terna Energy SA, a Greek company for  building up of a 40 MW wind farm to be located in Kamsheh near Jerash. The deal met a stalemate in determining the power tariff. On reaching an agreement, the project is expected to commence its commercial production by the year 2013.