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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