The Jordan Phosphate Mines Company (JPMC) and the UK's Solar Water Plc. signed an agreement on Sunday to establish and operate a plant to desalinate seawater using concentrated solar energy to supply a JPMC industrial complex in the city of Aqaba, south, with its industrial water needs.

The agreement was inked by the CEO of JPMC, Abdulwahab Rawad, and the CEO of the British company, David Reavley. The signing ceremony was attended by JPMC Muhammad Thneibat, and the British Ambassador to Jordan, Bridget Brind.

In a statement, Thneibat said that the project, which will be implemented according to a build–operate–transfer model, is part of the company's efforts to reduce production and manufacturing costs, and curtail the use of fossil fuels in its various facilities to combat pollution and climate change.

The project will employ a technology that Thneibat described as "the first of its kind in the world in the production of industrial water," noting that the project will contribute to providing new training and work opportunities for the local community.

The chairman said that he expected that the project's civil works would begin at the end of this year, and that the actual production of industrial water would start at the end of 2023, pointing out that the secondary salts resulting from the station would be sold on the market and the yield thereof will be shared between the JPMC and the British company.

In turn, the CEO of JPMC said that the project will provide the industrial complex with about 4 million cubic meters of industrial water annually, and guarantee financial savings of up to JD3 million annually.

He said that the project also includes generating electricity from solar energy, storing it for long periods and using it in managing the plant and desalinating sea water at a reasonable cost and without any carbon emissions.

David Reavley, the CEO of Solar Water Plc., stressed the importance of this partnership with the JPMC, given its position in the global phosphate market. Technically speaking, Rivley said that the new station will use fifth-generation solar condensers in accordance with (ANSI / ASME / DIN) standards.