Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09AMMAN2378
2009-10-28 09:38:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Amman
Cable title:
New Amman Power Plant, Financed in Part by OPIC, Run by
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UNCLAS AMMAN 002378
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ELA AND EEB
STATE PASS OPIC
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG ECON EINV EFIN JO
SUBJECT: New Amman Power Plant, Financed in Part by OPIC, Run by
U.S. Firm, Supplies 18% of Jordan's Needs
REFS: Amman 1690
UNCLAS AMMAN 002378
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ELA AND EEB
STATE PASS OPIC
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG ECON EINV EFIN JO
SUBJECT: New Amman Power Plant, Financed in Part by OPIC, Run by
U.S. Firm, Supplies 18% of Jordan's Needs
REFS: Amman 1690
1. (U) King Abdullah presided over the ceremonial opening of
Jordan's first independent power station on October 26. The Amman
East Power Plant was built and is owned and operated by AES Jordan
PSC, a consortium of AES Oasis (a subsidiary of U.S.-based AES
Corporation) and Japan-based Mitsui and Co. AES Jordan PSC will
operate the plant on a build-own-operate (BOO) basis for 25 years.
2. (SBU) The plant project, worth $300 million, was financed jointly
by the U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC),Japan
Bank of International Cooperation (JBIC),and the Sumitomo Banking
Corporation (SMBC),with International Bank for Reconstruction and
Development (IBRD) risk guarantees and included Korea's Doosan Heavy
Industries as the key construction contractor. Of the total $300
million cost, $180 million was U.S.-funded, including $70 million
from OPIC, making the AES project the largest American investment to
date in Jordan. (Note: OPIC is providing a $250 million loan to
the Disi Aquifer project, but that project has yet to see
significant construction. End note.)
3. (SBU) The Amman East Plant, which has 45 full-time employees, is
a combined cycle 370 MW generation plant that includes two 123.4 MW
Ansaldo gas turbines and one 130 MW Fuji steam turbine. The primary
fuel is natural gas provided through the Arab Gas Pipeline from
Egypt. Diesel oil is the plant's backup fuel. AES Jordan PSC
officials told EmbOffs that the plant, which began generating power
at full capacity on September 17, is currently producing 400 MW,
supplying 18% of Jordan's electricity demand and more than the
project's requirement of 370 MW.
4. (SBU) Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Khaldoun Qteishat
told reporters after the opening that the Amman East Plant helps
meet Jordan's surging electricity needs, which increase 7.4%
annually. Jordan's next step in electricity generation growth is a
$455 million project for the Qatraneh Electric Power Company, which
is a consortium of the Korea Electric Power Company and Saudi
Arabia's Zenel Company. The Qatraneh plant will produce 373 MW and
is scheduled to be completed in August 2011.
Visit Amman's Classified Website at
http://diplopedia.state.sgov.gov/index?title=
Embassy_Amman
BEECROFT
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ELA AND EEB
STATE PASS OPIC
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG ECON EINV EFIN JO
SUBJECT: New Amman Power Plant, Financed in Part by OPIC, Run by
U.S. Firm, Supplies 18% of Jordan's Needs
REFS: Amman 1690
1. (U) King Abdullah presided over the ceremonial opening of
Jordan's first independent power station on October 26. The Amman
East Power Plant was built and is owned and operated by AES Jordan
PSC, a consortium of AES Oasis (a subsidiary of U.S.-based AES
Corporation) and Japan-based Mitsui and Co. AES Jordan PSC will
operate the plant on a build-own-operate (BOO) basis for 25 years.
2. (SBU) The plant project, worth $300 million, was financed jointly
by the U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC),Japan
Bank of International Cooperation (JBIC),and the Sumitomo Banking
Corporation (SMBC),with International Bank for Reconstruction and
Development (IBRD) risk guarantees and included Korea's Doosan Heavy
Industries as the key construction contractor. Of the total $300
million cost, $180 million was U.S.-funded, including $70 million
from OPIC, making the AES project the largest American investment to
date in Jordan. (Note: OPIC is providing a $250 million loan to
the Disi Aquifer project, but that project has yet to see
significant construction. End note.)
3. (SBU) The Amman East Plant, which has 45 full-time employees, is
a combined cycle 370 MW generation plant that includes two 123.4 MW
Ansaldo gas turbines and one 130 MW Fuji steam turbine. The primary
fuel is natural gas provided through the Arab Gas Pipeline from
Egypt. Diesel oil is the plant's backup fuel. AES Jordan PSC
officials told EmbOffs that the plant, which began generating power
at full capacity on September 17, is currently producing 400 MW,
supplying 18% of Jordan's electricity demand and more than the
project's requirement of 370 MW.
4. (SBU) Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Khaldoun Qteishat
told reporters after the opening that the Amman East Plant helps
meet Jordan's surging electricity needs, which increase 7.4%
annually. Jordan's next step in electricity generation growth is a
$455 million project for the Qatraneh Electric Power Company, which
is a consortium of the Korea Electric Power Company and Saudi
Arabia's Zenel Company. The Qatraneh plant will produce 373 MW and
is scheduled to be completed in August 2011.
Visit Amman's Classified Website at
http://diplopedia.state.sgov.gov/index?title=
Embassy_Amman
BEECROFT