Since deciding to adopt renewable energy solutions in 2014, Jordan Customs has been installing solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in a number of its facilities around the Kingdom. The initiative is part of Jordan Customs’ efforts to realize the Jordanian Government’s objective to reduce national consumption of fossil energy by turning to renewable energy sources.

Jordan is confronted with a significant increase in the demand for energy, reflecting both its population and economic growth. As a result, energy management looms as one of the most significant challenges faced by the government, given that the Kingdom is a resource-poor nation.

Besides contributing to easing the country’s energy burden, the installation of the new solar PV systems has resulted in major savings. The energy bill for Jordan Customs’ facilities throughout the country was two million Jordanian dinars annually. However, installation of the first PV system at Wadi Al-Yutum alone yields an annual saving of 95,000 Jordanian dinars.

The successful execution of this first project triggered the deployment of more systems across the country, drawing the interest of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) which decided, in 2015, to fund the installation of a 100 KWp PV system on the rooftop of the Anti-Smuggling Division of Jordan Customs, where it now supplies all its electricity needs. As the savings in the energy bill reached 100%, the installation costs have been able to be fully recovered.

The initiative which reflects Jordan Customs’ commitment towards renewable energy, benefited from the active engagement of Eng. Nawras Sa’id, a Senior Customs Officer who initiated the project and saw it through to its implementation stage. To successfully complete the project, Jordan Customs participated in a number of USAID-funded activities under its Energy Sector Capacity Building Project, where officers gained the knowledge and confidence needed to implement green solutions.

In recognition of its achievement, Jordan Customs received the Emirates Energy Award in the category “Energy Efficiency – Public Sector” on 24 October 2017. Improving energy efficiency and diversifying the energy mix is a challenge faced by all countries in the region, hence the award aims at encouraging the rationalized use of energy and resources while highlighting efforts by regional public and private actors in this regard.

More information
www.customs.gov.jo