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Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) announced that it has provided a $13 million loan to Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) to help manage solid waste, generate electricity and reduce CO2 emissions, all of which will have a substantial environmental impact, according to a press release by the bank.

The project, the European bank said, will help to implement a comprehensive landfill-gas recovery system, the first of its kind in Jordan, which is designed and constructed with gas-collection technology.

"Given the innovative nature of the investment and the potential energy savings, the EBRD is co-financing the loan with US$5 million from the Bank’s Green Energy Special Fund (GESF). The main donor to the GESF is the Taiwanese International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF)", the press release noted.

The landfill gas will be used to generate electricity for delivery to the national grid, replacing electricity produced by grid-connected power plants that previously used heavy fuel oil, the bank said, adding that the investment will substantial benefits for the environment. "It will also serve as a model by establishing a new solid waste company, owned by the city of Amman, and by introducing a public service contract between the city and the newly created company".

EBRD President, Sir Suma Chakrabarti, said: "This project provides a unique opportunity to promote sector reform. We aim to strengthen the operational, financial and environmental performance of municipal solid waste management in Amman. The project represents a further deepening and strengthening of our engagement in Jordan".

GAM Mayor, Akl Biltaji, said: "Amman, the City of Compassion, is proud to partner with EBRD in resorting to the nature for the production of renewable and green energy".

Jordan became a member of the Bank in 2012 and to date the EBRD has committed US$ 422 million across 22 projects in various sectors of the economy. Through the EBRD’s Small Business Support programme the Bank has also initiated 95 technical assistance capacity-building projects that directly benefit Jordanian small and medium-sized enterprises.