USAID Jordan Energy Sector Capacity Building Activity Quarterly Report, April 1 - June 30, 2016

The task order consists of four major tasks and cross-cutting areas. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR) relaunched the tender to procure 43,000 LED lamps for the pilot demand-side management (DSM) program. The DSM financial analysis model was updated and delivered to the Energy and Mineral Resources Commission (EMRC), MEMR, and the three distribution companies. The DSM financial analysis model was used to test the cost effectiveness of new DSM programs in the pipeline. ESCB relaunched the tender to procure an experienced company to provide the distribution companies with technical assistance in renewable energy integration on medium voltage lines. ESCB continued to provide EDCO and JEPCO assistance in non-core business planning. The Energy Saving Action Planning Initiative gained momentum over the past quarter. Ecosol, ESCB's local subcontractor, completed the energy audits and energy-saving action plans for six governmental buildings. The effort will conclude in the next quarter with a workshop highlighting the energy saving opportunities and presenting how ministries can save money by implementing these measures. ESCB continued its ongoing support to operationalizing the Jordan Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Fund (JREEEF) and supporting implementation of its operating windows. Notable accomplishments over the period included the development of an EE and RE investment program for 3-star hotels, advising the Executive Director on commercial terms of contracts between JREEEF and other donor projects, and the development of an umbrella financing support package for all JREEEF operating windows. The downstream petroleum options analysis requested by MEMR was completed in draft and submitted to MEMR for review and comment. The ESP accreditation application guidelines were finalized and approved by the Coalition Board of Directors and NAESCO. The Board of Directors is currently in discussion with NAESCO to receive some kind of endorsement of the Jordanian accreditation system, which will add value in the Jordanian and regional market. The Technical Committee for the accreditation has been selected, and includes representatives from the private sector, universities and freelance consultants. An Accreditation Coordinator was also hired. ESCB is working with EVO and the Jordan Energy Chapter to have the Certified Energy Management Professional (CMVP) training become one of the regular professional technical trainings provided in Jordan. ESCB identified three potential local trainers (2 males and 1 female) who delivered the third CMVP round as a TOT and based on EVO's evaluation, they became the first Arabic speaking CMVP trainers, which will enable them to conduct this training in Jordan and the region. ESCB finalized the development of a clean energy micro loan product (appliances, SWH, PV) for the National Microfinance Bank (NMB). The Green loan product encourages specific target markets to buy energy efficiency appliances, SWH and PV from well-known brands with low interest rate. Moreover, ESCB completed the creation of a new database and associated tools based on the financial model embedded within the NMB application form to enable loan officers to calculate the energy savings and the payback period. The financial model is the first of its kind in the microfinance sector in Jordan. This quarter, ESCB trained around 40 loan officers, supervisors and branch managers from NMB on the new loan product's features, the application process, the savings calculator and promoting the product. NMB will be launching the product for EE appliances in the coming quarter. ESCB launched the second round of the one-to-one training program for the ESCB team members on the new loan product's features and the application process. The training program aims to enhance the team members' knowledge and skills on the new loan product and its application process, and to ensure that they can effectively promote and deliver the product to the target markets. The training program was conducted by ESCB's local subcontractor, Ecosol, and was attended by around 20 team members. The training program covered the new loan product's features, the application process, the savings calculator and promoting the product. The team members were also trained on how to use the new database and associated tools created by ESCB to calculate the energy savings and the payback period. The training program was highly interactive and included case studies, group discussions and role-playing exercises. The team members were also provided with a comprehensive manual on the new loan product and its application process, which will serve as a reference guide for them. The training program was highly successful, and the team members were able to effectively promote and deliver the new loan product to the target markets. The Jordan Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Fund (JREEEF) is a key component of the Jordanian energy sector's efforts to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. JREEEF was established to provide financing for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in Jordan, and to support the development of a sustainable energy sector. ESCB has been working closely with JREEEF to support the implementation of its operating windows and to develop a comprehensive financing package for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. Notable accomplishments