Ammon – The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Dr. Saleh Al-Kharabsheh, and the Chairman of the Palestinian Energy and Natural Resources Authority, Engineer Ayman Ismail, signed a memorandum of understanding in the field of electrical interconnection, with the aim of enhancing bilateral cooperation in the energy sector and developing interconnection projects between the two sides.

Al-Kharabsheh stressed that the memorandum reflects the depth of the historical relations between the two sides, and embodies the keenness to enhance cooperation in the field of energy in a way that contributes to achieving electrical security and the integration of the electricity system in the region.

He pointed out that Jordan’s capabilities are available and harnessed to serve the Palestinian side, under the guidance and support of His Majesty King Abdullah II, noting Jordan’s keenness to provide various forms of cooperation to enable the Palestinian brothers to achieve energy sufficiency through the Jordanian side.

For his part, Ismail stressed that the memorandum constitutes an important step towards developing the infrastructure of the electricity sector in Palestine and improving its operational efficiency, noting the importance of cooperation with the Jordanian side in implementing joint future projects.

He valued the deep-rooted bilateral relations between Jordan and Palestine, which extend to include various fields, praising the qualitative leap witnessed by the electrical interconnection project between the two sides, and the tangible impact it achieved during the recent heat wave, as it contributed to meeting the basic needs of Jericho Governorate and the service reaching the outskirts of Jerusalem Governorate.

Ismail stressed that the two sides seek to deliver electricity through the connection project to the city of Jerusalem in the future, in a way that enhances the independence of the Palestinian energy sector and deepens joint cooperation between the two countries.

For his part, the Director General of the Jordanian National Electricity Company, Engineer Sufyan Al-Batayneh, explained that the memorandum comes as a continuation of joint cooperation efforts, and aims to raise the efficiency of the electrical connection between the two sides, stressing that Jordan continues to develop networks and technical infrastructure to support the needs of the Palestinian side.

The memorandum aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the field of electrical connectivity and exchange technical expertise and technical information, thus contributing to diversifying sources of energy supply and raising the efficiency and reliability of electrical networks.

The memorandum includes cooperation in technical and economic studies funded by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and prepared by the global consulting company to determine the best technical options for establishing new electrical connection points.

The memorandum stipulated the formation of a joint technical and administrative committee that would follow up on the implementation of its provisions and supervise the relevant projects, in addition to coordinating with donor agencies to secure the necessary funding for future electrical connection projects.

It is noteworthy that the electrical interconnection project between the Jordanian National Electricity Company and the Jerusalem Governorate Electricity Company began in 2008 from the Sowayma station at a voltage of 33 kV, with a capacity ranging from 20 to 30 megawatts, to supply the city of Jericho and the surrounding areas, before the Ramah station near the border was later operated, which contributed to raising the exported capacity to about 80 megawatts and supplying other areas in the West Bank, which contributed to enhancing the reliability of electrical networks and developing technical cooperation between the two sides, which contributed to enhancing the reliability. Electrical networks and developing technical cooperation between the two sides.