Posted: 22.07.2010 Go Back Print This Article

Jordan furthers sunny plans

Millennium Energy Industries and CH2M HILL announce launch of solar feasibility study

Millennium Energy Industries (MEI) and CH2M HILL has announced the launch of a United States Trade Development Agency (USTDA)-funded feasibility study for a proposed Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) plant in the Ma'an Industrial Estate, Jordan. MEI, a MENA region leader in integrated solar solutions, plans to develop the plant in partnership with the Ma'an Development Corporation. U.S. -based eSolar, Inc., a provider of modular concentrating solar thermal power plants, is supplying cost-share funds in support of the effort. CH2M HILL, a global full-service consulting, design, construction, and operations firm based in the United States, was selected by MEI to develop the feasibility study for the proposed plant. The study will address the plant's technical and economic viability, as well as define a strategy for its implementation in partnership with the Government of Jordan and other regional and international private and public sector organizations.

CSP is a large-scale, proven technology for generating electricity using the power of the sun. In 2009 there were 679 MW of installed CSP capacity worldwide and more than 2000 MW under construction[1].  While Jordan's abundant solar resources make it a prime location for the development of solar energy capacity, few projects have been developed to date in the country. According to the International Energy Agency, only 1.5% of energy consumed in Jordan in 2007 was from alternative and nuclear resources, compared to 13.1% in Spain, 12.8% in Germany, and 10.8% in the United States.

Both the feasibility study and the proposed project aim to support Jordan's Master Strategy for its energy sector for the period 2007-2020 to develop 300 to 600 MW of solar thermal power capacity by 2020.  MEI and CH2M HILL recognize that reaching this domestic goal for the development of clean solar thermal energy will require close public–private cooperation to create opportunities for increased direct and indirect investment in Jordan's solar energy sector. 

"We are pleased to be working with CH2M HILL - a recognized global and regional leader in the engineering and construction of commercial-scale renewable and conventional power projects. CH2MHILL's experience with several landmark renewable energy projects globally and its strong regional presence will be of tremendous benefit to the MEI CSP project study and development," stated Ennis Rimawi, Chairman of Millennium and Managing Partner of Catalyst Private Equity, the entity co-sponsoring the USTDA study together with eSolar.

Don Zabilansky, Power Group President at CH2M HILL, is optimistic about the opportunities for implementation of utility-scale renewable energy projects throughout the world in areas of high DNI (direct normal irradiance).  "We are very pleased to work with Millennium Energy Industries on this important and trend-setting project," said Mr. Zabilanksy. "Millennium is well-positioned to help meet regional energy needs for generations to come."