Energy saving project tenders for vulnerable families being assessed

AMMAN — The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources’ tenders committee on Tuesday began assessing the technical specifications of 12 tenders, which seek to install solar panels for the homes of the first group of impoverished families and National Aid Fund (NAF) beneficiaries.

A total of 2,805 houses will be covered during the first phase of the project, according to a statement by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.

Energy Minister Hala Zawati said that the tenders committee will select the companies with the most qualified technical specification tenders in two weeks.

She added that the committee will then begin floating tenders to determine the most financially qualified companies, capable of covering the first phase of the project’s implementation.

The installed solar systems will operate with a capacity of 2 kilowatts and will be connected to the national grid through “Fils Al Reef” (money generated from fees in electricity bills), according to the statement.

The minister said that a new list of project beneficiaries is likely to be published during the third quarter of this year, pointing out that the energy ministry is providing this service free of charge.

Zawati said the project will contribute to mitigating the burden of electricity bills for impoverished families, in addition to expanding the category of those covered by Fils Al Reef and enhancing the ministry’s contribution to sustainable development.

She added that the initiative will also provide jobs for the youth.

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources will continue to receive applications for the project through its website, main offices at the ministry and its branches in different municipalities, said Fils Al Reef Director Ziad Saaideh.

In addition to possessing the necessary space for implementation, applicants must be on the NAF’s list of underprivileged families, and their electricity usage must not exceed 300 kilowatts per hour.

He pointed out that those wishing to apply must provide a location map, land plan, registration deed, a valid NAF beneficiary ID, an electricity bill and a copy of his or her ID.