Jordan Receives Additional €30 Million Grant from the European Union to Support Wastewater Treatment Infrastructure

Strategic Insights -

The Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation in Jordan has announced an additional €30 million grant from the European Union (EU) to finance the construction of a greenfield wastewater treatment facility in Al Ghabawi, on the outskirts of Amman. The total financing for the project amounts to €71.3 million, with the grant from the EU and a €41.3-million soft loan provided by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The project aims to improve the level of services provided to citizens, develop the water and sanitation system, and address environmental risks and health damage in the surrounding area.

Key Takeaways:

  • The project involves the construction of a modern wastewater treatment plant in the Al-Ghabawi area, with an estimated capacity of 24,750 cubic meters per day.
  • The funding will contribute to the rehabilitation of capacities in refugee hosting areas and support Jordan's efforts to meet its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in climate change action.
  • The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has been a key partner in this project, providing a €41.3-million soft loan.
  • The project will also support the combination of the possibility to exploit sludge further in waste-to-energy, as well as the possibility for contributing to composting.
  • The agreement was signed in the presence of EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Zeina Toukan, Minister of Water and Irrigation Mohamed Al Najjar, and EU Ambassador to Jordan Maria Hadjitheodosiou.
  • The project is part of the government's Executive Program 2023-2025 to the economic modernization vision.

Statistics:

  • Total financing for the project: €71.3 million.
  • EU grant: €30 million.
  • EBRD's soft loan: €41.3 million.
  • Estimated capacity of wastewater treatment plant: 24,750 cubic meters per day.
  • Distance between the wastewater treatment plant and Amman: 20 km.

Sources:

  • Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation
  • European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
  • European Union (EU)
  • Interview with Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Zeina Toukan
  • Interview with EBRD President, Odile Renaud-Basso
  • Interview with EU Ambassador to Jordan, Maria Hadjitheodosiou