Israel, Jordan move ahead with feasibility study on water-for-energy deal

Jordan and Israel on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on a partnership under which Jordan will export solar power to its neighbour in exchange for water.

The MoU was signed on the sidelines of the COP 27 summit in Sharm El-Sheikh by Jordan's water and irrigation minister Mohammad Najjar, Israel's minister of regional cooperation Issawi Frej and UAE's environment minister Mariam Almheiri. With the memorandum, the two sides agreed to continue the feasibility studies on the partnership, Jordan's state-owned news agency Petra said.

The MoU follows a declaration of intent that was sealed by the two countries in Dubai in November 2021 with the support of the United Arab Emirates. It stipulates that feasibility studies should be launched in 2022.

The cooperation includes two projects -- Jordan will build solar photovoltaic (PV) plants of 600 MW and export the generated green electricity to Israel. On its part, Israel will supply up to 200 million cubic metres (52.83bn gallons) of water from a water desalination plant to the neighbouring country which is struggling with water scarcity.

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