A USTDA grant is funding an evaluation of technology supplied by eSolar, Inc. of Pasadena, California, to help Jordan increase its use of clean and renewable sources of energy.

Photo courtesy of eSolar, Inc.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 28, 2009) – USTDA furthered the Administration’s strategy of advancing greenhouse gas reduction investments by awarding three separate grants to support specific solar and coal seam methane projects in Jordan, India and Georgia. USTDA also announced plans to sponsor an reverse trade mission to the United States for Georgian officials on the development of the country’s first major underground natural gas storage facility. USTDA has identified these activities as having significant potential for mutual benefit, given the importance of clean energy production to each of the countries, and corresponding U.S. technology and expertise in this sector.

"U.S. firms are world leaders in the application of clean energy technologies. These grants and the reverse trade mission are outstanding examples of the way USTDA's program provides countries with access to state-of-the-art U.S. equipment, technology and expertise in meeting important development priorities," said USTDA Acting Director Leocadia I. Zak.

In the Middle East, USTDA is supporting the development of Jordan’s clean energy resources with a $738,492 grant to Millennium Energy Industries (MEI). The grant will fund a feasibility study on the construction of a five megawatt (MW) concentrated solar power plant demonstration project in Jordan’s Ma’an Development Zone. This pilot project is designed to advance the development of one or more 46MW facilities, using technology supplied by eSolar Inc. of Pasadena, California.

“MEI looks forward to working with USTDA and eSolar toward the successful implementation of solar power in Jordan. This project in Ma’an will help achieve Jordan’s goal of increasing its use of clean and renewable sources of energy and decreasing its dependence on imported fossil fuels,” said MEI Chairman Ennis Rimawi.

In South Asia and the Caucasus, USTDA awarded grants to reduce methane emissions by capturing coal bed methane and coal mine methane (CBM/CMM) to produce energy. The grants include a $524,819 award to AES (India) Private Limited (AES India) to fund a feasibility study on a proposal to capture and use CBM/CMM from the company’s coal mine block in Chhattisgarh, India. The innovative project will demonstrate the practical opportunities for U.S. and India technical and business cooperation in reducing the release of potent greenhouse gases as India expands its domestic energy production. It also supports recent U.S. and Indian government commitments to cooperate on climate change strategies while supporting continued economic and energy sector growth.

Similarly, in Georgia, USTDA expanded its commitment to the Georgian International Energy Corporation (GIEC) as it progresses with plans to capture CBM in the Vale coal basin to produce energy. This $284,342 commitment builds on a previous USTDA grant to GIEC that is funding a feasibility study on the potential for CBM production in the Tkubuli-Shaori coal basin.

USTDA will also promote the development of the clean energy sector in Georgia by sponsoring a reverse trade mission to the United States for Georgian officials looking to construct the country’s first major underground natural gas storage facility. The visit, scheduled to take place in January 2010, will enable Georgian officials to observe American storage facilities, and will introduce them to U.S. firms capable of providing related technology, equipment and services. The delegates will also study U.S. gas storage laws and regulations.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency advances economic development and U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle-income countries. The agency funds various forms of technical assistance, feasibility studies, training, reverse trade missions and business workshops that support the development of a modern infrastructure and a fair and open trading environment. USTDA’s strategic use of foreign assistance funds to support sound investment policy and decision-making in host countries creates an enabling environment for trade, investment and sustainable economic development. In carrying out its mission, USTDA gives emphasis to economic sectors that may benefit from U.S. exports of goods and services.

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