Dr. Rasmey Hamzeh, Executive Director of the Jordan Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Fund (JREEEF) at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, confirmed that the total number of beneficiaries from the fund’s programs has exceeded 460,000 citizens, with direct investments reaching around JOD 40 million, and the overall value of projects surpassing JOD 100 million.
اضافة اعلان
Speaking at a dialogue session titled “The Economic and Social Impact of the Renewable Energy Fund’s Programs on Economic Development” organized by the Jordan Economic Forum and attended by Forum President Mazen Al-Hamoud, board members, and the general assembly, Hamzeh said that since its establishment in 2014 with an initial government capital of JOD 25 million, the fund has been leading Jordan’s energy transition through programs targeting households and economic sectors. He emphasized that the achievements to date have directly improved the lives of hundreds of thousands of families and reduced energy costs in vital sectors such as industry.
According to the Forum’s statement on Saturday, Hamzeh explained that since its inception the fund has focused on three main pillars: achieving a direct economic and social impact on citizens, helping reduce the national energy bill, and enhancing the competitiveness of productive economic sectors.
He highlighted that Jordan launched its first major solar power plant with a capacity of 50 MW, followed by the Tafileh wind projects with 117 MW capacity, which opened the door for wide-ranging investments in renewable energy.
Solar water heater coverage in Jordan was just 13% in 2014, but through the fund’s programs the number of benefiting households has risen to more than 70,000, in addition to 8,000 poor families provided with free solar systems. The target is to reach 90,000 solar water heaters by 2030.
The fund’s programs generate direct savings for citizens, with each solar heater reducing monthly energy bills by JOD 20–25 (JOD 240–300 annually per household). Agreements have also been signed with more than 250 local associations to reach villages and rural areas, further expanding nationwide adoption.
Hamzeh added that the fund’s programs cover all sectors: 630 houses of worship have been equipped with solar systems, along with 15 public institutions, 20 government buildings, 33 health centers, and 135 schools under a royal initiative for heating and cooling. The agricultural sector has also benefited with solar installations in 240 farms, while energy efficiency programs were implemented in 201 small and medium factories and 12 hotels.
He announced that all mosques and churches in Aqaba now operate on renewable energy, while 650 houses of worship across the Kingdom are using renewable systems, alongside 15 care homes and many public schools.
Energy audits in the industrial sector showed potential savings of 30–40% of energy costs in most factories, reaching up to 60% in some cases—a figure Hamzeh described as “remarkable” given the size of industrial consumption.
To support financing, the fund has signed agreements with local banks to provide citizens with easy loans, enabling them to pay simple monthly installments in addition to the fund’s direct subsidies.
Hamzeh stressed that the fund does not focus solely on the economic dimension but also considers environmental and social aspects, including reducing emissions under Jordan’s Paris Agreement commitments and improving air quality and urban living standards.
He noted that the strategy runs through 2030, with the core goal of reducing reliance on conventional energy, lowering import costs for the state, and enhancing citizens’ well-being by cutting electricity bills.
The session concluded with an open discussion on expanding the fund’s programs, financing challenges, and the importance of public-private partnerships in advancing the energy transition and supporting sustainable economic development plans. — Petra
