EBRD finances Jordan’s grid project: The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is extending a USD 28.25 mn loan to Jordan’s National Electric Power Company (Nepco) to develop its Northern Green Substation Transmission project, according to a document shared on the EBRD website. The project — expected to be co-financed by grants from other partners as well — aims to enhance the country’s grid capacity to minimize power waste and absorb more renewable energy production capacity.

What is the Northern Green Substation? The loan will be used to construct a new 400kV high voltage substation in North-Eastern Jordan and extend lines connecting substations of variable voltages across the country in areas including the governorates of Mafraq and Zarqa, west of Amman, Jerash city, and Al Hassan Industrial Zone, according to Zawya Projects.

There’s more: The EBRD will support Nepco in completing its environmental and social due diligence and impact assessments with the help of an external consultant to recommend best environmental practices and predict and mitigate possible adverse effects. Training services will also be offered to ensure quality construction.

Toyota is also supporting Nepco grid development: Nepco and Japan’s Toyota Tsusho Corporation signed an agreement in March to improve the quality and efficiency of Jordan’s electrical system to accommodate smart grids and an influx of renewables. Under the agreement, the electromechanical and static protection relays in some of the main transformer stations in the grid will be replaced. The project is funded with a USD 6.5 mn grant from Japan International Cooperation Agency.

REMEMBER- Jordan aims to switch to smart grids on its national grid to be better equipped for the influx of renewable energy being added from renewable plants.

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