Noor Aqaba: GSI Brings Utility-Scale Solar to Jordan's Red Sea Gateway

Green Sources Investment (GSI) has completed the Noor Aqaba solar photovoltaic project — a utility-scale installation serving the Aqaba Special Economic Zone, Jordan's thriving Red Sea port city and one of the country's most important economic and industrial hubs.

The Noor Aqaba project was developed to supply clean, cost-competitive electricity to industrial and commercial consumers within the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA). GSI was appointed as the main EPC contractor, responsible for the full project lifecycle from engineering design through construction, commissioning, and handover.

• Capacity: Utility-scale ground-mounted PV
• Location: Aqaba Special Economic Zone, Jordan
• Contract Model: Main EPC contractor
• Technology: Fixed-tilt ground-mounted monocrystalline modules
• Grid Connection: Medium-voltage injection into the ASEZA distribution network
• Monitoring: Full SCADA integration with remote performance monitoring

The project site presented unique engineering challenges, including proximity to the Red Sea coastline — requiring corrosion-resistant materials and mounting systems designed to withstand the saline marine environment. GSI's engineering team specified marine-grade aluminium racking, hot-dip galvanised steel piles, and IP66-rated electrical enclosures throughout the installation.

Aqaba is Jordan's only coastal city and a critical gateway for the country's trade and tourism industries. The Noor Aqaba solar plant directly reduces the zone's dependence on imported fossil fuels, lowering electricity costs for businesses operating within the economic zone and reducing the carbon footprint of one of Jordan's most active industrial areas.

The project is expected to offset thousands of tonnes of CO₂ annually, contributing to both Jordan's National Energy Strategy targets and ASEZA's own sustainability commitments.

One of the defining challenges of the Noor Aqaba project was designing a system capable of performing reliably in a coastal desert environment — combining high temperatures, salt-laden air, and occasional sandstorms. GSI's engineering team conducted detailed environmental assessments and specified components rated for the harshest conditions, ensuring a design life exceeding 25 years with minimal degradation.

Cable management systems were designed with additional UV and salt-spray protection, and all junction boxes were sealed to IEC 60529 IP66 standards. The inverter stations were positioned and ventilated to manage thermal loads in the extreme summer heat of the Aqaba region.

The Noor Aqaba project complements GSI's existing portfolio in southern Jordan, including the Al Haq Sources 60 MWp plant in Ma'an. Together, these projects demonstrate GSI's deep familiarity with the unique environmental and logistical conditions of Jordan's southern governorates — from the high desert plateau of Ma'an to the coastal lowlands of Aqaba.

"Noor Aqaba is a project we are particularly proud of," said GSI's Technical Director. "The coastal environment demanded engineering solutions beyond standard practice, and our team delivered a system that will perform reliably for decades. It is a testament to the depth of expertise we have built over 15 years in this industry."

The plant is now fully operational and feeding clean energy into the Aqaba grid, supporting the zone's ambition to become one of the region's most sustainable economic hubs.