The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has approved a $250 million financing package to support the National Water Carrier project for desalinating and conveying water from Aqaba to Amman. This step enhances the finalization of funding arrangements for one of Jordan’s largest strategic water projects.
اضافة اعلان
Data from the bank, reviewed by Al-Mamlaka, showed that the financing aims to assist the project in improving access to safe drinking water for residents of the capital and various governorates.
The project entails the construction of a seawater desalination plant in Aqaba, a 438-kilometer underground conveyance pipeline, and a 281 MW solar power plant, along with associated infrastructure.
The project is scheduled to supply approximately 300 million cubic meters of drinking water annually, contributing to the reinforcement of the Kingdom’s water supplies.
Last April, the government signed the final technical and legal agreement for the National Water Carrier project in preparation for completing the financial closure and commencing construction work. The total cost of the project is estimated at around $5.8 billion.
The National Water Carrier project is the largest of its kind in the Kingdom's history, combining seawater desalination with long-distance conveyance powered by renewable energy. It aims to desalinate 300 million cubic meters per year and pump water to elevations reaching up to 1,100 meters above sea level through pipelines extending nearly 450 kilometers, utilizing modern and environmentally friendly technologies.
The project is expected to meet nearly 40% of the Kingdom's drinking water needs, making it one of the most prominent strategic projects aimed at bolstering water security in Jordan amidst the growing challenges facing the water sector.
