Amman, April 26 (Petra) -- The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources on Sunday reported that JD12.7 million in electrification support was approved in 2025, benefiting 1,981 households, according to its Rural Electrification Directorate’s annual report, which also highlighted progress in expanding access to electricity across rural and remote areas.

According to the 2025 Rural Electrification Directorate report, electricity connections were implemented through a mix of conventional grid extensions and renewable energy systems, aimed at easing financial burdens on citizens and improving electricity accessibility both within and outside regulated areas.

The fund also expanded network coverage across various population segments. Electricity connections were extended to 427 households in clusters of five homes at a cost of JD2.39 million, while 619 households in smaller clusters were connected at a cost of JD1.54 million. Additionally, 827 single households located outside regulated areas were connected at a cost of JD606,000.

The report highlighted further interventions, including providing electricity to 108 low-income households within regulated areas, upgrading transformer stations to address voltage fluctuations and reduce technical losses, and installing lighting infrastructure for roads leading to 37 cemeteries to facilitate access during nighttime hours.

Support to the agricultural sector covered poultry, livestock, and fish farms in underserved areas, as well as farms with artesian wells outside regulated zones, benefiting 56 farms at a cost of JD652,000. The fund also supported 63 productive, industrial, and investment projects at a cost of JD1.87 million, contributing to local economic activity and job creation.

In addition, electricity services were extended to government and security facilities, schools, cooperatives, agricultural associations, and charitable organizations at a total cost exceeding JD4.18 million, reinforcing essential infrastructure and public service delivery.

On renewable energy, the Ministry issued a tender to install grid-connected solar photovoltaic systems for 500 households benefiting from the National Aid Fund, aimed at reducing electricity costs and improving living standards. A parallel initiative provided similar systems for 1,493 injured military personnel, while off-grid solar systems were installed in 13 low-income households outside planning zones.

In the area of energy efficiency, the Ministry continued implementing a nationwide streetlighting retrofit project in coordination with the Ministry of Local Administration, supported by an annual JD5 million allocation from the fund. The initiative resulted in the replacement of 521,168 conventional streetlights with energy-efficient LED units, generating cost savings for municipalities and improving service quality.

The report noted amendments to the fund’s eligibility criteria in 2025 to enhance targeting efficiency and expand developmental impact. These included supporting the establishment and capacity expansion of substations serving industrial zones and new projects, with contributions of up to 25 percent and a ceiling of JD60,000.

Additional amendments enabled electricity connections and substation upgrades for productive, industrial, investment, and tourism projects located outside regulated areas, with funding ceilings linked to the number of jobs generated, thereby prioritizing projects with measurable economic and social returns.

The Ministry also approved a program to install 3.6 kWp grid-connected solar systems for the homes of families of personnel killed from the Jordan Armed Forces – Arab Army, and security services, in recognition of their service and to reduce household energy costs.

Looking ahead, the Ministry plans to implement a project to install solar photovoltaic systems for 1,000 households of persons with disabilities between 2026 and 2030, at an estimated cost of JD1.5 million. The initiative aligns with commitments announced at the World Disability Summit 2025 and reflects efforts to support vulnerable groups, advance sustainable development, and improve quality of life in line with national energy strategies.

//Petra// AJ