Ammon News - The implementation of the Aqaba-Amman desalination and water transmission project, known as the National Carrier Project, is advancing according to plan, Minister of Water and Irrigation Raed Abu Al-Soud confirmed.

This project, which is part of Jordan’s strategic efforts to address water security, aligns with royal directives, government commitments, and the Economic Modernization Vision, as well as the 2023-2040 Water Sector Strategic Plan.

The National Carrier Project, designed to provide 300 million cubic meters of desalinated water annually, aims to meet the needs of approximately 4 million Jordanians. It is expected to reduce pressure on the country’s over-exploited underground and surface water resources.

Abu Al-Soud noted that the signing of the project agreement earlier this month with an investor consortium led by "Meridiam" and "Suez" is a significant step toward advancing the project through a public-private partnership.

Construction work for the project will begin in March 2025 with the start of site preparation activities, which include land surveys, soil testing, and the removal of underground obstacles. These initial steps will lay the groundwork for the full-scale construction of the desalination and transmission infrastructure.

The financial closure for the project is expected to be completed by July 2025, securing the necessary funding and ensuring all legal and technical requirements are met before the full implementation of the project. This includes finalizing financing agreements, securing government approvals, and addressing all regulatory and contractual requirements.

Minister Abu Al-Soud emphasized that the government is making every effort to ensure that the project’s engineering works begin before the end of this year. Once completed, the National Carrier Project will be one of the largest desalination plants in the world and the largest infrastructure project ever built in Jordan.

The project is expected to improve water supply to many regions of the country and contribute to the natural replenishment of aquifers, securing a reliable water source for citizens.