Amman:A JD1.4 million initiative to install solar-powered smart lighting along the Amman Development Corridor is nearly finished, with 75% of the units already in place and the remainder expected to be completed within two weeks.
According to Jordan News Agency, the project covers approximately 42 kilometers and replaces traditional grid-dependent infrastructure with independent, high-efficiency LED units powered entirely by solar energy. This development was announced by the Ministry of Public Works and Housing on Wednesday.
Public Works and Housing Minister Maher Abu Al-Samen recently inspected the project alongside Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission Chairman Ziad Saaideh and the ministry's Secretary-General for Technical Affairs Wasim Adwan. They assessed the progress, lighting quality, and the technology's efficiency during the site visit.
The new system integrates solar lighting with automated controls, cameras, and remote monitoring capabilities. It allows for adjustable lighting intensity based on traffic volumes and nighttime conditions, while operators can remotely monitor the performance of individual units and batteries and detect any faults.
The ministry has focused installations at key intersections, entrances, exits, and busy road sections to enhance road safety through improved nighttime visibility. This shift to standalone solar units aims not only to reduce electricity consumption and operating costs but also to tackle the ongoing issue of theft and damage to conventional lighting infrastructure.
In past years, copper cables, electrical panels, and transformers have been frequent targets for theft along the corridor, necessitating costly repairs and replacements. The solar units avoid these vulnerabilities by operating without extended copper cabling, conventional transformers, or electrical panels, thereby reducing potential theft and minimizing future repair and replacement expenses.
The ministry stated that the project is part of a broader effort to incorporate renewable energy and modern technology into road infrastructure, focusing on improving service sustainability, road safety, and long-term operational and maintenance efficiency.