USAID/Jordan Energy Sector Capacity Building Activity Quarterly Report, January 1 – March 31, 2015

The DSM units in the three distribution companies, EDCO, IDECO, and JEPCO, worked with the Energy Sector Capacity Building Activity (ESCB) to develop four DSM proposals, three for efficient lighting and one for solar water heating. EDCO and IDECO submitted their DSM proposals to the Electricity Regulatory Commission (EMRC) for review and approval. A standard format for DSM proposals was developed with the concurrence of the distribution companies and EMRC. The DSM Financial Analysis Model was used extensively to design cost-effective DSM programs. ESCB provided on-site training sessions on the DSM Financial Model for JEPCO, EDCO, IDECO, and the EMRC. This training was integrated into the DSM proposal development process to make it more practical. The DSM Financial Model User's Manual was completed in its first version for testing by the DSM units. ESCB is supporting the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources' (MEMR) Energy Saving Action Planning initiative. This initiative seeks to support Energy Officers appointed within each Ministry who are tasked with identifying energy-saving measures in their respective ministries. In this quarter, ESCB supported the action planning process through capacity building, including hands-on energy audit training at three Ministries. Throughout the quarter, ESCB also worked closely with MEMR's Jordan Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Fund (JREEEF) in developing its 2015 business plan and initial activities. ESCB acts as secretary to an informal JREEEF donor coordination committee established to mobilize the donor support that JREEEF needs in a coordinated fashion. ESCB assisted JREEEF to develop three pilot projects: household solar PV in the Jordan Valley, a household solar water heater project, and household LED projects to be implemented by the distribution companies. As part of the ongoing effort to create the Jordan Coalition of Energy Association, EDAMA, JordanGBC, and REES signed an MOU to become founding members of the coalition. A near-term work plan was adopted to design the accreditation system and legally register the coalition. ESCB market research and strategic planning consultants completed the strategic planning with JGBC, EDAMA, and REES. ESCB met with three banks, two microfinance institutions, and the Jordan Insurance Corporation to select institutions to work with on developing energy efficiency loan products. Under Task 4, ESCB is facilitating the procurement and installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays at two buildings of the Government of Jordan: Jordan Customs and the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation (MOPIC). During this quarter, the installation of the 50KW system at MOPIC was completed and is awaiting final inspection by JEPCO and commissioning. The installation at Jordan Customs was started during the quarter. ESCB also completed the waste-to-energy tender documents for the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM). GAM published the tender announcement on March 5, 2015. ESCB was asked by GAM to continue to provide support through the tendering process in addressing questions from potential bidders. The Energy Sector Capacity Building Activity made significant progress in furthering development of DSM in Jordan. The ESCB DSM team worked with the three distribution companies and the regulator to develop and officially submit the first ever DSM projects in Jordan. IDECO submitted its DSM proposal on February 16, and EDCO submitted its proposal on March 5. The regulator, EMRC, confirmed receipt of these proposals and has committed to completing the review and approval process by April 16. With the support of ESCB, IDECO began the household appliance and lighting load survey in its service area. Survey planning was complete in February, and data collection from IDECO households began on March 1. Data collection will continue for 6 weeks and conclude during the third quarter FY15. The IDECO load survey report will follow soon after. ESCB provided training on the DSM Financial Model to JEPCO, EDCO, IDECO, and the EMRC. This training was integrated into the DSM proposal development process. The DSM proposals developed by the distribution companies and ESCB are expected to promote energy efficiency in Jordan. The proposals focus on efficient lighting and solar water heating, which are expected to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The DSM Financial Analysis Model was used to design cost-effective DSM programs, which will help to ensure the success of the DSM projects. The Energy Sector Capacity Building Activity is working closely with the distribution companies, the regulator, and other stakeholders to develop and implement DSM projects in Jordan. The activity is providing technical assistance and training to the distribution companies and the regulator to help them develop and implement DSM projects. The activity is also working with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and the Jordan Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Fund to develop and implement energy efficiency projects in Jordan. The Energy Sector Capacity Building Activity is expected to continue to make significant progress in promoting energy efficiency in Jordan. The activity will continue to work with the distribution companies