EPE's Technical Assistance and Capacity Building in Support of USAID

Background

As part of its Energy Strategy, the Government of Jordan aims to increase the proportion of renewable energy in Jordan’s energy mix from 2% in 2010 to 10% by 2020 – targeting an additional 1,000 MW of wind and 800 MW of solar energy by 2020. Such a target is feasible because of Jordan’s ample solar and wind resources - 5 – 7 kWh of radiation per m2 per day plus wind speeds of 7.5 – 11.5 meter/second in some areas. Increased utilization of domestic renewable power would reduce the 96% of energy needs currently met through imported fuels and the 20% of GDP spent on energy imports in 2012.

Challenge

Renewable power faces barriers which vary according to size of the project and the interconnection voltage level. For larger projects interconnecting at transmission voltages the barriers include: lack of planning, operational and testing grid code requirements for renewable projects; lack of familiarity and experience with integrating intermittent renewable power output into grid operations; lack of experience in conducting grid impact studies and assessing third party grid impact studies; capacity and infrastructure limitations on the transmission system; and lack of experience in the testing, certification and commissioning of renewable power projects.