Jordan’s Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry has invited expressions of interest from consultants to provide technical, financial and legal advisory services for renewable energy projects in the country.

The selected consultant will assist the ministry in the evaluation of renewable energy project proposals. The consultants will devise evaluation criteria to be used by the ministry when assessing proposals from developers. They will also help the government in negotiating strategies in relation to these projects.

The firm will oversee measurement campaigns, feasibility studies and other preparatory work for new renewable energy projects, along with due diligence work such as negotiating access to land and financing options. Advisers must submit expressions of interest by 2 June.

Jordan has plans to derive 10 per cent of all generation from wind and solar energy by 2020. It is currently tendering contracts to develop wind farms at Kamshah and Fujeij.

To secure more international support, Jordan updated its legislation to make its energy sector more attractive in 2010. The Renewable Energy Law was enacted in January 2010 and allows private companies with renewable generation projects to negotiate directly with the energy ministry, bypassing the need to hold a competitive tender. It also obligates Nepco to purchase this power at a fixed tariff.