Amman: Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources and Chairperson of the Jordan Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Fund (JREEEF) Saleh Kharabsheh, along with Minister of Health Ibrahim Badour, signed an executive agreement to implement a solar water heating system project in 33 government hospitals. The signing took place in the presence of several administrative and hospital directors.
According to Jordan News Agency, the project, executed by the JREEEF, is part of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources' efforts to expand the use of clean, locally available energy sources and reduce energy costs in key sectors as part of the Economic Modernization Vision. Kharabsheh stated that this initiative will help cut down on fuel consumption like diesel and gas, used for water heating in hospitals, thereby contributing to national energy security.
Kharabsheh emphasized that the project aims to enhance energy efficiency in the health sector by replacing conventional water heating systems with modern solar systems, with a total production capacity of approximately 217,000 liters of hot water per day. The project, costing JD3.3 million, is funded 90% by the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security and 10% by the JREEEF.
Badour highlighted the collaborative nature of the agreement between the two ministries and their commitment to improving efficiency in the health sector. He described the project as a strategic initiative that will directly impact healthcare quality, especially considering the high levels of energy and hot water consumption in hospitals for services like laundry, sterilization, and kitchens.
He praised the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and the JREEEF for their roles and the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security for their support. Badour reiterated the Ministry of Health's commitment to providing necessary technical and administrative support to ensure the project's success, marking a significant step toward enhancing health infrastructure readiness and reducing carbon emissions.
Executive Director of the JREEEF Rasmi Hamza detailed that the project will be implemented in three phases, starting with nine hospitals, followed by 15 in the second phase, and the remaining nine in the third phase. The plan includes comprehensive technical and administrative supervision throughout the design, execution, and operational stages.
Hamza noted that the project is expected to reduce carbon emissions by around one megaton annually and generate financial savings of approximately JD300,000 each year. Additionally, the fund will train technical staff from the Ministry of Health to ensure sustainable operation and long-term efficiency of the systems.
He added that this project is part of national initiatives supporting the transition to a green economy, increasing the share of renewable energy in the energy mix, and contributing to environmental sustainability and improved efficiency across vital sectors in line with national development objectives.