AQABA, Jordan – February 28th 2018
Jordanian Minister and European Ambassadors to Jordan visit as Sahara Forest Project announces that the project is to deliver clean solar power to the Jordanian grid, and deliver fresh vegetables to the local consumers.
The Jordanian Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources HE Dr. Saleh Al-Kharabsheh The Ambassador of the European Union to Jordan, HE Mr. Andrea Matteo Fontana, the Ambassador of Norway, HE Mr. Tone Allers and as well as ambassadors and high-ranking diplomats from 10 European countries visited the Sahara Forest Project in Aqaba on February 28th.
The high-ranking delegation was visiting at an international event jointly organized by the European Union delegation to Jordan and the Sahara Forest Project Foundation.
–I am pleased to announce that the Sahara Forest Project now has started delivering clean solar power to the Jordanian grid and selling our fresh vegetables to local consumers here in Aqaba, Mr. Joakim Hauge, President of the Sahara Forest Project said.
At a 3 hectare previously barren land north of Aqaba airport, Mr. Hauge invited H.E. Dr Saleh Al-Kharabsheh, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, H.E. European Union Ambassador Mr. Andrea Matteo Fontana, H.E. Norwegian Ambassador Ms. Tone Allers to switch the power button, symbolizing a new milestone for the ambitious desert project.
The high-ranking delegation was visiting at an international event jointly organized by the European Union delegation to Jordan and the Sahara Forest Project Foundation.
–I am pleased to announce that the Sahara Forest Project now has started delivering clean solar power to the Jordanian grid and selling our fresh vegetables to local consumers here in Aqaba, Mr. Joakim Hauge, President of the Sahara Forest Project said.
At a 3 hectare previously barren land north of Aqaba airport, Mr. Hauge invited H.E. Dr Saleh Al-Kharabsheh, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, H.E. European Union Ambassador Mr. Andrea Matteo Fontana, H.E. Norwegian Ambassador Ms. Tone Allers to switch the power button, symbolizing a new milestone for the ambitious desert project.
Celebrating the sucessful first five months of operations, the project with Norwegian government and the European Union as its two largest funders, is ready to deliver clean energy and healthy food to the local market in Aqaba.
Food, Water and Energy production
The Sahara Forest Project in Aqaba only uses proven technologies, put together in a new system. The synergies between the different technologies allow for climate-smart food, energy and water production in a patch of Jordanian desert that has not yielded crops for hundreds of years.
Inaugurated with patronage by His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon of Norway on September 7th 2017, the Sahara Forest Project is a way to roll back the rapid desertification while addressing food, water and energy production.
-The food-energy-water nexus is closely connected to climate change, and in order to address these challenges, we believe you need to take an integrated approach to tackle them, Mr. Hauge said.
The idea came from a simple perception: The Sahara Forest Project wants to use what Jordan has enough of: Sunlight, saltwater, deserts and CO2.
Ever since 2015, the European Union has been a vital supporter and leading financial contributor to realize the Sahara Forest Project activities in Jordan.
H.E. EU Ambassador Mr. Andrea Matteo Fontana planted the first symbolic tree during a ceremony at the then deserted land in October 2016, and was excited to be back and connect the solar power produced to the Jordanian grid.
–When I first came to this land in October 2016, there was nothing here. It is exciting to see the developments, and I am proud that the European Union supports this important innovative project for Jordan, H.E. Ambassador Fontana said.
H.E. Ambassador Fontana emphasized that this project is a part of the EU support to green energy in Jordan that exceeds 160 Million Euros at this moment, and stated he looked forward to further enhanced cooperation, particularly when it comes to synergies such as creating jobs, fighting poverty and opening up for further research.
Green jobs creation
-The ambition of the Sahara Forest Project is revegetation of desert areas and contributing to social development in Jordan by creation of green jobs. We want to achieve this through profitable production of food, freshwater, biofuels and clean energy, Mr. Hauge said.
Collaboration to establish Jordan as a hub for green growth systems
Norway, EU and Jordan has for years been the largest supporters of the journey of greening the deserts and combat climate change and desertification through a new way of producing food, freshwater and clean energy.
–I am very grateful for the valuable support of EU and the Jordanian government in this public-private consortium. Our goal is to continue to collaborate in establishing Jordan as a regional power house for new way of using arid landscape, and we hope that even more partners will take part in this unique project as it continues to develop. Mr. Hauge said.
The objective of the Launch Station now is to pave the way for large scale expansion of restorative farming in Jordan. The Launch Station is the first step towards to realization of the full-scale “Sahara Forest Project Jordan Center” of 20 hectares.
-It is important for me to emphasize that this is only the beginning for Sahara Forest Project in Jordan. I see this country as a hub for green growth systems and we now look forward to interact with a wide range of regional, national and international stakeholders in ensuring that this vision turns into reality, Mr. Hauge concluded.
The event was co-funded and co-organized between the EU REEEII-TA and Sahara Forest Project Foundation.
The Sahara Forest Project Foundation would like to thank Mr. Omar Abu Eid of the EU delegation to Jordan and Mr. Emil Alasis (REEEII-TA Team Leader) for the good cooperation in realizing the February 28th event.
Contact information for the media
Mr. Magnus Borgen, Head of Communications at the SAHARA FOREST PROJECT
magnus@saharaforestproject.com / Tel: +47 977 28 476.
Ms. Reem Al-Jazi, Press Officer at the EU Delegation to Jordan
Reem.AL-JAZI@eeas.europa.eu / Tel: +962-6-460-7000 (ext 108
