Airport International Group and Shams Al Mattar lil Taqa Cooperate to Build Solar Farm at Queen Alia International Airport

Amman, March 2018 – Aligned with its efforts towards reducing its environmental impact, Airport International Group signed an agreement with Shams al Mattar lil-Taqa, wholly owned by Kawar Investment, for the establishment of a 10 MWac solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant at Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA). The agreement, which corresponds with the net-metering directives applicable to renewable energy projects in Jordan., was inked on Thursday 22 March, 2018, by Airport International Group BOD Member, Mr. Omar Masri, and CEO, Mr. Kjeld Binger and Shams al Mattar lil-Taqa Chairman, HE Mr. Karim Kawar.

By virtue of the agreement, Shams al Mattar lil-Taqa will design, build and operate a high-quality PV solar farm spanning an area of around 190,000 sqm, of contiguous unused lands located within the Airport’s premises, north of the Northern Runway. The solar facility will generate over 24.5 GWh (24.5 million kWh) of electricity in its first year; offsetting over 59% of airport operation needs; an amount equal to the electricity needed to power approx. 4500 homes.. The installation of the solar farm will also cut back around 10,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions and reduce relative costs. The solar farm is expected to begin generating electricity by end of 2018 or early 2019.

“As a major operator in the local transport sector – a sector that is known to contribute substantially to the total emissions in Jordan – we at Airport International Group have long planned to establish a solar power plant at the Airport as a means to minimizing our carbon footprint and becoming the largest solar-powered airport in the MENA region. This agreement represents a step in the right direction, towards us achieving carbon neutrality and environmental sustainability here at QAIA,” explained Binger. “We believe that building this solar farm will also respond to the directives of Jordan’s National Energy Strategy 2020, namely enhancing environmental protection and diversifying energy resources, thus not only paving the way for a greener QAIA, but also a greener Jordan.”

Mr. Zaghloul, the CEO of Kawar Energy said, “We are proud to be selected by the Airport International Group as the developer and Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor for this project at one of Jordan’s most iconic landmarks. Our commitment to safeguarding Jordan’s environment will undoubtedly be manifested in the prevention of 10,000 tons of CO2 emissions every year, once this plant is fully operational.” He added, “We take this opportunity with both a sense of pride and high degree of responsibility as we commit to building a solar farm that will undoubtedly position QAIA as a global leader in renewable energy in the aviation industry.”

Airport International Group has been making great strides in managing the environmental impact of QAIA in recent years, as evidenced by receiving the silver award in the Airport Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific Green Airports Recognition 2017, in addition to maintaining its third level of Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA), ‘Optimization’, with plans to earn 3+ level of carbon management accreditation, ‘Neutralization’ in the near future.