Ammon News - The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has approved $250 million in financing to support Jordan’s National Water Carrier Project, which aims to desalinate and transport water from Aqaba to Amman, marking a step forward in completing financing arrangements for one of the country’s largest strategic water projects.

According to the bank’s data, the financing will support the project’s efforts to improve access to safe drinking water for residents of Amman and other governorates.

The project includes the construction of a seawater desalination plant in Aqaba, an underground water pipeline extending 438 kilometers, a 281-megawatt solar power plant, in addition to the infrastructure associated with the project.

The project is expected to provide around 300 million cubic meters of drinking water annually, contributing to strengthening Jordan’s water supplies.

The government signed the final technical and legal agreement for the National Water Carrier Project last April, paving the way for completion of financial closure and the start of construction works. The project’s total cost is estimated at approximately $5.8 billion.

The National Water Carrier Project is considered the largest of its kind in Jordan’s history, combining seawater desalination with long-distance water transportation powered by renewable energy. It will desalinate 300 million cubic meters of water annually and pump it to elevations of up to 1,100 meters above sea level through pipelines stretching nearly 450 kilometers, using modern and environmentally friendly technologies.

The project is expected to meet around 40% of Jordan’s drinking water needs, making it one of the country’s most significant strategic initiatives to enhance water security amid growing challenges facing the water sector.