CLEAN TECH AND WATER ENTREPRENEURSHIP

In Jordan, the energy challenge and water scarcity are among the most acute in the world. Traditional means and technologies for employing energy and water in economic activity will become increasingly inadequate for long-term sustained growth. As such, Jordan must rethink how such resources are employed and conserved.

SABEQ believes considerable economic opportunity exists in meeting these energy and water challenges. Currently, Jordan has a fragmented clean technology and entrepreneurship sector as well as a non-existent renewable water resource sector.  As such, SABEQ will focus part of its year 4 activities to create a more organized and integrated sector to deal with these challenges by facilitating the creation of a Clean Tech and Water Entrepreneurship cluster. In addition to the National Energy Research Center (NERC), Jordan currently contains a variety of mature and nascent companies that operate in the clean tech arena and provide a foundation from which to develop a more cohesive sector.Today the sector can best be characterized as a disparate group of companies and research institutions that do not build or leverage their collective and cumulative knowledge and experience.  A more organized industrial sector proactively interacting with research institutions (the clean tech cluster) would be extremely attractive to international companies seeking to develop or market and install clean tech technologies/solutions in the region. 

The first task SABEQ proposes to carry out is a thorough review of the sector’s potential as a driver of economic growth.  From that review SABEQ will refine the illustrative work-plan activities noted below into a focused, cohesive set of tasks to stimulate economic activity and create green-collar high value jobs.

 

Goal Support creation of a Clean Tech and Water Entrepreneurship cluster in Jordan, through the identification of executable opportunities, capacity building to meet local regional and global needs and by inducing increased activity in these fields from local and international players
Targeted Results by 2010 ·         2,750 jobs created ·         $100M FDI generated (already underway through Ma’an Development Company. ·         6 new clean tech firms established ·         5% increase in Jordan’s EWE productivity
Key Stakeholders ·         Private sector: EDAMA association ·         Government: El Hasan Science City, Development Zones Commission, Ministry of  Environment
Illustrative Activities to be Refined After Sectoral Review
1. FDI Attraction ·         Design and assist in implementation of FDI Marketing and Promotion Strategy for targeting international renewable energy operators and manufacturers	Key Deliverables ·         International renewable energy companies attracted in Jordan
2. Capacity building towards Green Collar Jobs ·         Develop and deliver certified energy management specialist program (Certified engineering program) ·         Establish solar systems installation and maintenance training program at Ma’an Vocational Training Center ·         Enhance green collar skills among university graduates working in industrial factories through Competency-Based Training (CBT) portfolio ·         Train 20-30 engineering graduates on HSE and employ them through the CCC ·         Develop governance and business model; recruit international private sector partners; fund initial research staff and programs for an international renewable energy and water research center at El Hassan Science City .  ·         Provide grant assistance to the Higher Council for Science and technology to expand the i-park incubator	Key Deliverables ·         Engineers trained and certified on best practices on energy management in facilities ·         Solar systems training program established in Ma’an ·         60 employees trained as green factory managers ·         Training program in health, safety and environmental technology (HSE) supervisors established at Al-Huson University college ·         International EWE R&D Center business model created and seeded with initial staff, EWE productivity programs and international partners in place ·         Increased number of clean tech start-ups and increased number of clean tech employees
3. Create Local Demand for clean tech implementation ·         Define priorities and finance strategy for the environmental fund. ·         Develop a GAM recycling project and neighborhood recycling pilot ·         Establish guidelines related to the adoption and implementation of green building codes including rating system for level 2 and the related incentive scheme ·          Establish Eco House at JUST to provide a platform for architecture and engineering and manufacturing companies to test their designs and products ·         Develop the capacity of ELD staff  and industry in identifying the BAT for pollution prevention	Key Deliverables ·         Environmental fund operational ·         Community driven PPP project implemented for demonstration purposes. ·         Lower income recycling jobs ·         Green building guidelines, rating system under Level 2, and incentive scheme are established. ·         A laboratory where clean tech solutions, designs and products can be tested and verified, thus improving the capabilities and competitiveness of local companies. ·         Use of   BAT and pollution prevention concept is introduced and used by industry
4.  Create Awareness about Clean Tech/EWE ·         Support Jordan's hosting of and attendance in international renewable energy and water conferences ·         Develop  water, energy and environment conservation community driven  PPP  pilot projects ·         Support the establishment of three water harvesting sites  in collaboration with educational institutions and private sector ·         Design and implement campaign to increase awareness about the benefit of using renewable energy sources in energy intensive industries ·         Design and implement Madrasati students energy and water efficiency awareness campaign	Key Deliverables ·         Successful internationally attended conference in Jordan ·         Clean tech pilot implementation at the community level demonstrating financial viability and opportunity. ·         Water harvesting implementation demonstrating capability, and resultant economic possibilities ·         Awareness of how to mitigate rising energy prices through renewable energy solutions and remain in business. ·         Getting awareness into households through students.