jordan pulse -

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has approved $250 million in financing to support the National Water Carrier Project for seawater desalination and conveyance from Aqaba to Amman, a step that advances the completion of financing arrangements for one of Jordan's largest strategic water projects.
​Bank data monitored by "Al-Mamlaka" showed that the financing aims to support the project in improving access to safe drinking water for residents of the capital and governorates.
​The project involves constructing a seawater desalination plant in Aqaba, a 438-kilometer underground water conveyance pipeline, a 281-megawatt solar power plant, alongside associated project infrastructure.
​The project is scheduled to supply approximately 300 million cubic meters of drinking water annually, contributing to boosting the Kingdom's water supply.
​Last April, the government signed the final technical and legal agreement for the National Water Carrier Project in preparation for achieving financial closure and commencing construction work, with the total cost of the project reaching approximately $5.8 billion.
​The National Water Carrier Project is the largest of its kind in the Kingdom's history, combining seawater desalination and long-distance transport powered by renewable energy. It will desalinate 300 million cubic meters annually and pump water to elevations reaching 1,100 meters above sea level through pipelines extending roughly 450 kilometers, utilizing modern and environmentally friendly technologies.
​The project is expected to meet nearly 40% of the Kingdom's drinking water needs, serving as one of the most prominent strategic projects aimed at bolstering water security in Jordan amidst the growing challenges facing the water sector.