Aqaba, Sep. 1 (Petra) -- The National Water Carrier Project is a strategic step toward securing water supplies and improving water transport efficiency, while also supporting Aqaba’s economic role as an industrial, logistics and investment center in the Kingdom.

The project’s infrastructure and related works are expected to support the development of industries, investments and services associated with the water sector, create employment opportunities and increase demand for logistics services and local manufacturing.

The project’s significance has been underscored by the Cabinet’s decision to proceed with establishing a steel pipe manufacturing and coating plant with capital of up to JD120 million, with 50 percent of its production allocated to the National Water Carrier.

Two experts told the Jordan News Agency (Petra) that the steel pipe plant linked to the National Water Carrier would contribute to strengthening national industries, increasing local added value and creating employment opportunities. They said the move reflects efforts to increase local value added and turn part of the project’s requirements into productive and investment opportunities within the national economy.

Mohammad Farajat, Professor of Geology and Hydrogeology at Al Hussein Bin Talal University, said the National Water Carrier Project for desalination and water transport represents a strategic opportunity that extends beyond securing around 300 million cubic meters of water annually.

He said the project could contribute to economic and industrial activity in Aqaba and support the city’s development as a regional center for water industries, desalination technology, energy and related services.

The project’s capital cost is estimated at around $4.3 billion, while its total cost, including financing, is estimated at approximately $5.8 billion. It includes seawater desalination and a water carrier extending approximately 438 to 450 kilometers, as well as a solar power plant with a capacity of around 281 megawatts in Al Quweira.

Farajat said the broader economic value of the project lies in the activity that could develop around the water sector. He called for localizing the related value chain in Aqaba by making use of the port, economic zone, industrial infrastructure and renewable energy resources.

He said the steel pipe plant could form the basis for an expandable national industry supplying water, energy and infrastructure projects. He also called for studying the possibility of establishing a Jordanian industry for reverse osmosis membranes and their components, as well as research and development centers, laboratories and technology partnerships in Aqaba.

Such measures, he said, could support investment opportunities, create specialized jobs and contribute to the growth of startups.

Farajat said the project could support industry, tourism, investment and logistics, while contributing to the development of Aqaba as a center for research and development in desalination, energy, artificial intelligence and the marine environment. It could also help reduce pressure on groundwater resources and promote the reuse of treated water.

He stressed the importance of developing an economic plan alongside the project, with clear indicators covering local investment, employment, local content and research and development spending. This would help ensure that the National Water Carrier contributes to economic growth in addition to its role in securing water supplies.

Economic expert Hossam Ayesh said the project represents a significant strategic step that could support Aqaba’s position on the global economic map by contributing to the development of a new industrial and investment base in the city.

He said the project aims to desalinate around 300 million cubic meters annually through a water transmission line extending approximately 450 kilometers. Renewable energy sources are expected to cover around 31 percent of the project’s electricity needs, supporting construction, equipment, engineering services, maintenance and transport activities during implementation.

Ayesh said the project’s direct impact would be to strengthen water security, supporting population, tourism, industrial and investment growth and making water an important part of the infrastructure supporting economic and investment activity.

He said the JD120 million steel pipe plant represents an example of localizing industries associated with the project through increased local procurement, higher added value and job creation. He added that this approach could support the development of other strategic projects related to energy, transport and infrastructure.

Ayesh said the National Water Carrier is also linked to clean energy projects in Aqaba, particularly the green ammonia project, whose investments are estimated at more than $1 billion and whose production capacity is around 100,000 tons annually. The project is supported by a 550-megawatt solar power plant, supporting Aqaba’s potential to develop as a regional center for green industries, clean energy and water.

He stressed the need to increase the local content of spending associated with the project by qualifying Jordanian suppliers, training workers and transferring technology. This would enable national companies to participate in supply chains and allow the local economy to benefit from the project’s capital expenditure.

On August 1, the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, in cooperation with the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, launched a single-window platform dedicated to the National Water Carrier Project. The platform aims to unify and simplify licensing and permit procedures and accelerate project implementation.

The National Water Carrier represents an opportunity to further develop Aqaba’s economic role by linking water security with industry, energy, investment, logistics, research and development.

//Petra// WH