Biomass Energy in Jordan

Jordan has promising biomass energy potential in the form of municipal solid wastes, crop residues and organic industrial wastes.  Municipal solid wastes represent the best source of biomass in Jordan. In terms of quantity per capita and constituents, the waste generated in Jordan is comparable to most semi-industrialized nations. Agricultural biomass offers a low energy potential due to arid climate in most of the country.

The major biomass energy resources in Jordan are:

  • Municipal waste from big cities
  • Organic wastes from slaughterhouse, vegetable market, hotels and restaurants.
  • Organic waste from agro-industries
  • Animal manure, mainly from cows and chickens.
  • Sewage sludge and septic.
  • Olive mills.
  • Organic industrial waste

The total generation of municipal waste in Jordan is estimated at more than 2 million tons per year. In addition, an annual amount of 1.83 million cubic meter of septic and sewage sludge from treatment of 44 million cubic meter of sewage water is generated in Greater Amman area. The potential annual sewage sludge and septic generated in Amman can be estimated at 85,000 tons of dry matter. Jordan also generate significant amount of animal manure due to strong animal population in the form of cattle, sheep, camels, horses etc. 

Organic industrial wastes, either liquid or solid, is a good biomass resource and can be a good substrate for biogas generation. Anaerobic digestion is fast gaining popularity as one of the best waste management method for biomass utilization. The use of anaerobic digestion technology for biomassl waste management would be a significant step in Jordan’s emergence as a renewable energy hub in the MENA region. Jordan is planning to implement 40-50 MW of waste-to-energy projects by 2020.

Biogas Plant at Rusaifeh Landfill

The Government of Jordan, in collaboration with UNDP, GEF and the Danish Government, established 1MW biogas plant at Rusaifeh landfill near Amman in 1999.  The plant has been successfully operating since its commissioning and has recently been increased to 4MW. The project consists of a system of twelve landfill gas wells and an anaerobic digestion plant based on 60 tons per day of organic wastes from hotels, restaurants and slaughterhouses in Amman. The successful installation of the biogas project has made it a role model in the entire region and several big cities are striving to replicate the model.

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About Salman Zafar

Salman Zafar is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of EcoMENA. He is a consultant, ecopreneur and journalist with expertise across in waste management, renewable energy, environment protection and sustainable development. Salman has successfully accomplished a wide range of projects in the areas of biomass energy, biogas, waste-to-energy, recycling and waste management. He has participated in numerous conferences and workshops as chairman, session chair, keynote speaker and panelist. He is proactively engaged in creating mass awareness on renewable energy, waste management and environmental sustainability across the globe Salman Zafar can be reached at salman@ecomena.org

3 Responses to Biomass Energy in Jordan

  1. Dear Mr. Saman Zafar,
    Greetings from Bangladesh! I highly appreciate your efforts and contribution towards an Energy-secured Green Mid-East. Here in Bangladesh I am also involved with Renewable energy adaptation through nations highest research body:Institute of Renewable Energy, University of Dhaka -IRE-DU, Executive Member of Apex body:Bangladesh Solar Energy Society [BSES]. I like to exchange our mutual experiences in this sector. I also write on renewable energy – with especial emphasis on Waste to Electricity [WtE]. You may be aware that Bangladesh is the world’s most densely populated nation: 6 and 4 times more than India and China respectively! – 160+ ml population in 1,44,000 sq. km! Certainly all types of waste is a great concern and threat to our existence.
    I shall send my published articles [English] on renewable energy to you for your reading, comments.
    With warm regards,
    S. Zaman Chowdhury
    Chairman
    Centre for Development of Industries & Research [CDIR]
    &
    Managing Director, Renewable Energy Co.[RENCO], Bangladesh

    • Salman Zafar says:

      Dear Mr. Chowdhary

      Thanks for your kind and encouraging words.

      Nice to know about your involvement in renewable energy industry. I shall be happy to review and publish your articles on BioEnergy Consult website http://www.bioenergyconsult.com which is exclusively focused on waste-to-energy, biomass energy and waste management in developing countries.

      Please feel free to share the articles as per your convenience. If you have any queries or clarifications do let me know.

       

      Best wishes

      Salman Zafar

      Founder, EcoMENA

  2. hussen korin says:

    MR SALMAN , HI SIR ..iam very happy to write to you after reading your report about  BIOMASS ENERGY in JORDAN  , inshallah i hope that we  will co operat together in that field . because iam preparing now big report how to generate  energy  (biogas  , biodiesel ) from biomass and organic polluted  biomatrials _ AS municipal solid waste , municipal waste water . … in JORDAN ,, THANKS SOOO MUCH  ,  PLEASE  SIR ,, ARE YOU LIVE IN JORDAN ?  iam an egyptian engineer  . living in CAIRO , 25 years experienc in envionment management and pollution treatment           شكرا فى أمان الله

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