Israel to swap desalinized water with Jordan for solar energy

Israel is expected to sign a deal with Jordan that will include solar energy production in Jordan for the Israeli market, which would reciprocate by desalinating Mediterranean water for supply to Jordan.

The deal is brokered by the United Arab Emirates and the United States. Israel’s Energy Ministry said that the countries would sign a joint declaration next week.

The scope of the deal is unknown, but a source said it would be “very significant” and emphasized that it would be mutually beneficial, not a gift to Jordan.

The solar power will be generated at a solar farm providing service only to Israel, without being connected to Jordan’s power grid, the source said.

The signing is set to take place in the United Arab Emirates on Monday with the participation of Energy Minister Karine Elharrar, Jordanian Water Minister Mohammed Al-Najjar, U.S. climate envoy John Kerry, and Emirati climate envoy Sultan Al Jaber.  

[Israel Fisher and Jonathan Lis]

18 November 2021

IEEFA