Jordan’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR) has prequalified 15 companies for the contract to build a photovoltaic (PV) power plant in Quweira in southern Jordan.

Firms submitted prequalification documents for the deal to build the 65-75MW PV solar facility in April. Spanish companies represented the largest proportion of the prequalified firms, with five represented in the prequalification list. German companies made up the next largest proportion, representing three of the prequalified firms.

The prequalified companies are:

• ABB (Switzerland)
• Acciona Energia (Spain)
• Belectric Solarkraftwerke (Germany)
• Constructora Sanjose (Spain)
• Elecnor (Spain)
• First Solar Electric (US)
• Gestamp Asetym Solar (Solar)
• Hanwha Q Cells (Germany)
• Isolux Ingenieria (Spain)
• Juwi International (Germany)
• Larsen & Toubro (India)
• Solar World (US)
• Sterling & Wilson (India)
• Sunedison Italia Construction
• TSK Electronica Electricidad (Spain)

In addition to installing the plant, the contract will involve the provision of all required civil infrastructure works including access and internal roads, and the provision of operation and maintenance (O&M) services when the facility is completed.

The solar scheme is the latest of several renewable energy projects that the MEMR is moving ahead with, as it seeks to boost the country’s power capacity. In January, firms were invited to tender for a PV solar plant at Azraq, located about 100 kilometres east of Amman.

In May, the ministry invited investors to express interest in waste-to-energy (WTE) schemes planned throughout the country. Only waste generated in Jordan will be used at the planned WTE plants.