50 MW Risha Solar Plant Online In Jordan

• Risha Solar Power Plant with 50 MW capacity has been commissioned in Jordan
• The solar IPP from ACWA Power will sell solar power for $0.042 per kWh to NEPCO
• The Mafraq governorate located project is designed to generate 115 GWh of clean power annually

Developed for $68 million, the 50 MW Risha Solar PV plant has come online in Jordan, commissioned by Saudi Arabia's ACWA Power and the Jordan's National Electric Power Company (NEPCO). The independent power plant (IPP) is expected to generate 115 GWh of solar power annually to be bought by NEPCO for $0.042 per kWh.

The 50 MW project is located in the Risha area of Mafraq Governorate, closer to the place where an ACWA Power subsidiary operates a 150 MW gas-fired power plant reaching the end of its service period. According to the European Bank for Reconstruction (EBRD), the Risha PV project will progressively replace the ageing gas power plant to generate the cheapest power in Jordan.

The EBRD along with the Arab Bank and Germany's DEG are financially supporting the solar power plant (see $22 million Loan For 50 MW Jordan PV Project).

"Through utilizing existing infrastructure, NEPCO was able to reduce the overall costs of the project and increase its efficiency. Moreover, this project will benefit the adjacent local communities, by creating jobs, and contracting services from local companies," said NEPCO Managing Director Amjad Rawashdeh. "This project is one of the many investments made by ACWA Power in the Jordanian energy sector, and we are confident in the success of our partnership with them."

For ACWA Power, this 50 MW plant increases its total power generation capacity in Jordan to more than 1.6 GW.

Last month Spain's Fotowatio Renewable Ventures inaugurated two solar PV plants in Jordan with 50 MW capacity each in the country (see FRV Commissions 100 MW Solar In Jordan).

NEPCO is using a $265 million loan from the EBRD to strengthen its grid to absorb and manage renewable power (see $265 Million From EBRD For Jordan's Grid).