The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources in Jordan has invited bids for the Al-Mujib pumped hydro energy storage project, which will feature a capacity of 450 megawatts. Officials intend to develop the facility near the Al-Mujib Dam through a build-own-operate-transfer (BOOT) structure. Interested companies must submit prequalification applications to the government by 18 January 2027 at noon Jordan time. The Ministry of Investment is coordinating the tender process to facilitate the transition toward sustainable power infrastructure. This project aims to integrate renewable energy sources into the national grid while ensuring supply stability. Prospective bidders are expected to provide detailed technical proposals in accordance with the requirements established by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.
Technical Specifications and Capacity
The facility will provide seven hours of electricity storage at full-load operation. Zawya Project’s calculations estimate the total storage capacity of the pumped hydro project at approximately 3,150 megawatt-hours.
Engineers designed the infrastructure to function in conjunction with the Al-Mujib Dam, which holds a storage capacity of 25 million cubic metres. This water reservoir serves as the primary resource for the pumped hydro operations near the dam site.
Prequalification Process and Requirements
Companies interested in participating in the Al-Mujib pumped hydro energy storage project must pay a non-refundable fee of JOD 1,000 to obtain the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) documents. This payment is equivalent to $1,410. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources requires this administrative step for all prospective bidders seeking to secure the necessary project documentation. These documents detail the specific criteria and standards required for the build-own-operate-transfer structure. Firms failing to provide the required fee will not receive the authorization to submit a formal prequalification application. The government-mandated payment process ensures that only committed entities proceed with the formal evaluation phase of the tender.
Strategic Energy Goals and Partnerships
The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources stated in September 2024 that the World Bank is working with the Jordanian government on the Al-Mujib pumped hydro energy storage project. This collaboration aligns with national plans to expand the use of sustainable power sources across the country.
Jordan targets raising the share of renewable energy in electricity generation to 30 percent by 2030. Long-term objectives also include increasing this contribution to 50 percent by 2050. These energy goals serve as the foundation for the current tender process coordinated by the Ministry of Investment. Officials expect the integration of pumped hydro storage to support these capacity targets by ensuring grid stability as the national energy mix shifts toward greater reliance on renewable power.