Jordan’s Energy & Mineral Resources Ministry has invited bids from developers to build its next wind farm at Fujeij located near Shobak, about 200 kilometres south of the capital Amman.

The ministry issued a request for qualification (RFQ) in June 2009 for the project and prequalified 16 developers to bid.

The prequalified companies are:

• AES (US)
• Daewoo International (South Korea)/Unison (South Korea)
• Fersa (Spain)
• GDF Suez (France)
• International Constructional (Greece) /Damco (Greece)/Christopher D.Constantinidis (Greece)
• K&M (US)/IESA (Spain)
• Mitsui (Japan)
• Sorgenia (Italy)
• Terna (Greece)/Enara (local)/Vector (Greece)
• Gecal (Spain)
• Kepco (South Korea)
• Eltech Anemos (Greece)
• Elecnor (spain)
• Fortore (Italy)
• International Power (UK)
• Tecneira (Portugal)

A bidders’ conference is to be held in Amman on 9 August and bids are to be submitted by December.

Bidders have been asked to outline financing plans showing ‘substantive conversations with lenders’, according to a source close to the deal.

Feasibility studies by the government have indicated the proposed site would be suitable for an initial 80-100MW facility. This could be increased to 250MW at a later date.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector investment arm of the World Bank, is advising the government on the project.

Amman has also launched a JD20m ($28m) fund to support the country’s renewable energy sector. The Fujeij wind farm is expected to benefit from this.

The Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Fund has been established as part of the recently passed Renewable Energy Law. Companies will be able to apply for support from the fund, which will be backed by the government and international donor agencies.

This could replace potential funding from the Global Environment Facility, a Washington-based multilateral organisation, which provides grants for renewable energy initiatives in developing countries.

The UK’s Trowers & Hamlins is legal adviser to the government on the Fujeij project, while US-based firm CRA International is financial adviser.

CRA International is also advising the government on another wind farm project. The Kamshah project was stalled for several months, but has now been revived as the government has re-launched talks with Greek firms Terna Energy and Vector Aeolian Parks.