Jordan's environmental regulators have issued a license to Enefit Jordan, partly owned by Eesti Energia, for the construction of an oil shale power station that is expected to cover 20 percent of the country's energy needs when it begins operation in 2017.
Officials gave their endorsement after reviewing an environmental impact report from Enefit that had been two years in the making.
"The clearance of the environment impact assessment signals that the project, as well as the technology used in it and the environmental protection measures that we have taken, all ensure that the project will have a minimal impact on the local environment and community," Andres Anijalg, Eesti Energia's director in the Jordan project, said in a press release.
The 500-megawatt plant will use fluidized bed combustion technology, and air cooling systems to minimize water use.
Enefit Jordan's other shareholders are YTL Power International Berhad of Malaysia and Near East Investments Limited of Jordan.
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