USTDA Supports Programs to Strengthen Electricity Distribution in Jordan
April 26, 2012
(USTDA)
Opens Market for Increased Exports of Smart
Grid Technology from United States
AMMAN, JORDAN – USTDA awarded three grants to
Jordanian electricity distribution companies
today, to support feasibility studies for smart
grid upgrades across the country. The studies
will design smart metering implementation plans
for the Electricity Distribution Company
(EDCO), Irbid District Electricity Company
(IDECO) and the Jordanian Electric Power
Company (JEPCO). In those assessments, they
will include an analysis of the United States'
advanced technologies and expertise available
for improved energy efficiency, system
management, and customer service. The
electricity distribution companies are each
joining USTDA in sharing the cost of the
studies.
During the signing, U.S. Ambassador to Jordan
Stuart Jones noted the importance of the
contributions. "These grants demonstrate the
commitment of the U.S. Government and Jordanian
private sector to work together to improve
Jordan's energy infrastructure and decrease
reliance on imported energy resources."
The grants were signed at the Offices of the
Electricity Regulatory Commission by U.S.
Ambassador Stuart E. Jones on behalf of the
United States, and on behalf of Jordan by IDECO
Director General Ahmad Thainat, EDCO Director
General Mohammad Amin Friehat, and JEPCO
General Manager Marwan Bushnaq. USTDA Regional
Director Carl Kress participated in the
signing.
The combined value of the grants exceeds one
million dollars, and will support the roll out
of smart meter technologies to hundreds of
thousands of Jordanian customers across the
country. IDECO and EDCO operate in largely
rural regions in Northwest and Southern Jordan,
while JEPCO serves the densely populated Amman
region.
"The government of Jordan has a national
objective to improve electricity stability and
reliability while reducing costs, and we are
pleased to support that goal," stated USTDA
Regional Director Kress. "U.S. companies are
global leaders in this field and these studies
will introduce their technologies to Jordan's
leading electricity distribution companies."
The opportunities to conduct the USTDA-funded
feasibility studies will be competed on the
Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) website. A
link to the FBO announcements will be posted to
USTDA's website at www.ustda.gov. Interested
U.S. firms should submit proposals according to
the instructions in the FBO announcements. Each
grant recipient will independently select a
U.S. contractor that will complete the
feasibility study.
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