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Jordan Hosts MENA’s 1st Solar+Storage Project

Philadelphia Solar’s 23 MW solar PV plant with a 12.6 MWh energy storage component was developed in 2 phases of 12 MW and 11 MW, respectively. The first phase of 12 MW has been operational since October 2015, and now 11 MW plus the energy storage system has been switched on in the second phase. (Photo Credit: Philadelphia Solar Jordan/Facebook)

Anu Bhambhani
  • Philadelphia Solar of Jordan has commissioned the second phase of its solar plus storage power plant earning the distinction as the country's first utility scale solar power plant with storage capacity
  • The 23 MW/12.6 MWh Al Badiya project in Al-Mafraq uses the company's own locally manufactured solar panels and mounting structures
  • The solar project with lithium-ion energy storage system will increase the stability of the grid and support it during peak load hours, additionally enhancing the availability of energy during the daytime hours, according to the company

The first utility scale solar power plant with an energy storage system in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) has come online in Jordan's Al-Mafraq region. Philadelphia Solar launched commercial operations of the 23 MW/12.6 MWh project on February 18, 2019.

The Al Badiya project was developed in 2 phases. In the first phase, 12 MW has been operational since October 22, 2015 with 48,000 polycrystalline Philadelphia PV panels of 250 W each and its own mounting structures. Now, the Jordanian module maker has brought online 11 MW in a second phase using 34,320 PV panels of 320 W each along with a tracking system and lithium-ion energy storage system.

On its Facebook page, where it announced the project commissioning, Philadelphia Solar said, "Al Badiya is considered as the largest and first PPA power storage plant in the Middle East and the region, and the first operated project in the first round." It added, "The new power plant's purpose is to enhance the grid by power peak shaving and power shifting to increase the stability of the grid and support the grid at peak load hours, additionally it will also enhance the availability of energy during the daytime hours."

In September 2018, a subsidiary of the company, Al Husainiyah secured state approval to develop a 50 MW solar power plant in Ma'an, Jordan (see Jordan Grants License To 50 MW PV Project).