Amman, Dec. 14 (Petra) – Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources and Chairperson of of the Jordan Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Fund (JREEEF) Saleh Kharabsheh and Minister of Health Ibrahim Badour on Sunday signed an executive agreement to implement a solar water heating system project in 33 government hospitals.
The project, to be implemented by the JREEEF, was signed in the presence of a number of administrative and hospital directors.
Kharabsheh said the project forms part of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources’ efforts to implement programs under the Economic Modernization Vision, aimed at expanding the use of clean, locally available energy sources and reducing energy costs in key sectors. He noted that the initiative will help cut fuel consumption, including diesel and gas, used for water heating in hospitals, thereby supporting national energy security.
He added that the project seeks to enhance energy efficiency in the health sector by replacing conventional water heating systems with modern solar systems, with a total production capacity of around 217,000 liters of hot water per day. The total cost of the project amounts to JD3.3 million, funded jointly by the the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security at 90%, and the JREEEF at 10%.
Badour said the agreement reflects the collaborative approach between the two ministries and underscores their commitment to improving efficiency in the health sector and ensuring the sustainability of health services. He described the project as a strategic initiative with a direct impact on the quality of healthcare, particularly in light of the high levels of energy and hot water consumption in hospitals, especially for laundry services, sterilization units, operating rooms, and kitchens.
He commended the role of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and the JREEEF, with support from the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security, and underlined the Ministry of Health’s commitment to providing the necessary technical and administrative support to ensure the project’s success. He said the agreement marks an important step toward strengthening health infrastructure readiness and aligning with national efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
Executive Director of the JREEEF Rasmi Hamza said the project will be implemented in three phases, beginning with the installation of systems in nine hospitals, followed by 15 hospitals in the second phase and nine hospitals in the third phase. He added that the implementation plan includes full technical and administrative supervision covering the design, execution, and operational stages.
Hamza noted that the project is expected to reduce carbon emissions by around one megaton annually and generate annual financial savings estimated at approximately JD300,000. He added that the fund will train technical staff from the Ministry of Health to ensure the sustainable operation of the systems and maintain their long-term efficiency.
He said the project represents one of the national initiatives supporting the transition to a green economy and increasing the share of renewable energy in the overall energy mix, contributing to environmental sustainability and improved efficiency across vital sectors in line with national development objectives.
//Petra// AJ
