Sustainable Education through Renewable Energy - Jordan

Sustainable Education through Renewable Energy promotes and deploys renewable energy and energy efficiency measures by installing renewable energy systems in Jordanian public schools located in low-income areas. This activity enhances the quality of children’s education and improves their learning environment by providing them with a free source of electricity.

Fast facts:

The funds saved from the electricity bills plus the funds generated from selling the excess electricity to the national grid allows the schools to operate more effectively;
Documented results show that the annual generated income per school could reach JOD 5,000.

The problem

Schools in vulnerable communities have been severely affected by the vast increase in fuel prices and the degradation of ecosystems needed for their livelihoods.

The solution

This activity has created a public-private partnership through the Princess Alia Foundation, the Ministries of Energy and Education and Al Asalah company, enabling them to attract private sector funding for the implementation of the solar systems in the schools. Installing photovoltaic cells in public schools in remote and vulnerable communities provides classrooms with clean and free energy. Schools no longer have to depend on electricity provided by the government which is generated using fossil fuels. Energy efficient lighting units are installed inside classrooms to reduce electricity consumption and improve the electrical wiring and installations to guarantee minimum safety standards. This clean energy eliminates the need for kerosene heaters which produce CO2 emissions.

Helping the planet

The activity contributes to protecting the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting the use and need of renewable energy.

Helping people

This activity benefits public schools in rural areas across Jordan. With solar power, students get a safe and healthy learning environment which will help them reach their academic potential and bridge the gap between schools. Teachers receive training on the solar energy system and can pass on their knowledge of renewable energy as an alternative to their students. Unemployed youth from the local community are trained in the installation and maintenance of the solar energy systems and community leaders are invited to learn more about the positive effects of the use of renewable energy and the impacts of climate change. The activity ensures cooperation with relevant stakeholders and includes beneficiaries in the implementation process in order to ensure their ownership and secure sustainability of the project's impact.

Scaling Up

The low cost of the solar energy system implementation allows for a wider donor base increasing the system’s rollout. The savings in the budget of the Ministry of Education on electricity bills may be channeled towards scaling up the activity to include all schools across the country.