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Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - Deputizing for His Majesty King Abdullah II, Prime Minister Hani al-Mulki, on Monday, inaugurated, in the southern governorate of Ma'an, the Shams Ma'an project, which is the Middle East's largest private sector's venture designed to generate electricity from solar energy using photovoltaic cells, with an output of 52.5 megawatts.

The project is established on an area of 2 million square meters, at which more than 600,000 solar panels were installed under the supervision of a specialized international company, at an investment value of approximately $170 million.

The venture, which is implemented by the "Shams Ma'an" project coalition including Kawar energy companies, a subsidiary of Japan's Mitsubishi company and Nebras Power company, a subsidiary of Qatar Electricity and Water Company's (QEWC), will contribute to focusing on local renewable energy sources in order to ensure energy sustainability and slash high energy bill.

The prime minister unveiled the project's memorial plaque and pushed the start button marking the start of operation.

Chairman of the Board of Directors of Shams Ma'an Company, Karim Kawar, said the project was the result of an eight-year effort between Kawar Energy, government agencies, the National Electric Power Company (NEPCO), Energy & Minerals Regulatory Commission and the private sector in order to rely on domestic sources for energy supply.

He pointed out that the project, which will produce 160 GWh per year, or 1 percent of the Kingdom's consumption of electricity, has provided 800 temporary job opportunities, during the construction period, and created 30 permanent jobs.

Nebras energy's Chairman of the Board of Directors, Fahad Al-Mohannadi, commended Jordan's achievements in the field of alternative energy, adding that Nebras energy seeks to implement other environment-friendly projects in the Kingdom, after investing in Amman East Power Plant and acquiring a share in Al Manakher company in addition to its investment in Shams Ma'an project.