Jordan’s Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry will award an advisory contract to Germany’s Fichtner to provide technical, financial and legal advisory services for renewable energy projects in the country.

The ministry invited bids in May (MEED 19:5:11). The following firms were shortlisted:

• WorleyParsons (Australia)
• Lahmeyer International (Germany)
• Tractebel Engineering (Belgium)
• Trowers & Hamlins (UK)
• K&M Engineering and Consulting (US)
• CMS Cameron McKenna (UK)
• Fichtner (Germany)
• Black & Veatch (US)

According to a source at the ministry, an award is to be made after Eid. The consultant will devise evaluation criteria to be used by the ministry when assessing renewable energy project proposals from developers.

Fichtner 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.

To secure more international support, Jordan updated its legislation last year to make its energy sector more attractive. 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.

Jordan has plans to derive 10 per cent of all generation from wind and solar energy by 2020.