Petra, Sept. 7 (Petra) -- Jordan Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Fund (JREEEF) of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources launched a project on Monday to install solar cell systems on 18 municipal buildings in the southern region after a similar phase was completed in the north.

During the launch event, the fund reviewed its previous experience in northern municipalities, where the systems helped cut operating costs and electricity bills, drawing on field expertise gained there to guide the current southern phase.

The project reflects the government's commitment to extending renewable energy programs to all regions of the kingdom, said the Ministry's Secretary-General Amani Alazzam.

The move to the southern phase, she pointed out, underscores the ministry's commitment to providing practical solutions that ease municipalities' financial burdens, noting that lower energy costs would let municipalities redirect resources toward better services for residents.

She highlighted the importance of partnership with Italy's Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (MASE) in supporting clean energy transition projects, reducing carbon emissions and training municipal staff to operate and manage the systems according to technical standards.

JREEEF Executive Director Rasmi Hamzeh said the fund will continue programs targeting service and development sectors, describing the southern solar project as a key step in expanding renewable energy use and improving energy efficiency in public institutions.

The project is part of a national program covering 104 municipalities, involving the installation of solar systems on 188 municipal buildings with a combined capacity of about 3.4 megawatts.

The program is expected to save about JD550,000 annually in electricity costs, cut carbon emissions by about 3,838 tons of CO2 a year, and train more than 550 municipal staff through two training packages.

//Petra// NQ