Amman:Attarat Power Company (APCO) has been honored with two prestigious awards at the 2026 Asian Power Awards for its groundbreaking oil shale-fired power generation project. This project is noted as the first of its kind in both Jordan and the broader region.
According to Jordan News Agency, APCO received the Innovative Power Technology of the Year - Jordan and Independent Power Producer of the Year - Jordan awards. The company described this project as the largest private investment in Jordan's history, integrating oil shale mining with electricity generation.
The power plant, located near the Attarat mine, supplies baseload electricity to the National Electric Power Company (NEPCO) under a long-term power purchase agreement. It meets between 15% and 17% of Jordan's total annual electricity demand and maintains an availability rate exceeding 99%. APCO highlighted the project's role in enhancing energy security by reducing reliance on imported fuels, which in turn lowers fuel import costs and limits foreign currency outflows.
APCO manages its fuel and water supply infrastructure, allowing it to provide electricity without additional arrangements. The plant and mine are expected to operate for 30 to 40 years, offering significant employment opportunities and collaborating with local businesses.
To tackle the technical challenges of oil shale, APCO has implemented technological solutions such as controlled fuel blending and three-stage crushing to enhance fuel consistency. Additional measures include a distributed control system (DCS) for monitoring operations, and boiler soot blowers to improve operational efficiency.
The company has achieved several international certifications, including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and ISO/IEC 17025. Engineering measures for environmental compliance include circulating fluidized bed combustion technology and zero wastewater discharge.
The Asian Power Awards celebrate innovative solutions in the energy sector, recognizing projects that address climate change and energy demand. The awards, organized by Asian Power magazine, are often referred to as the Oscars of the energy industry.