Qatari shareholding company Nebras Power has acquired 40% of The AES Corporation’s interest in the Al-Manakhir IPP4 power plant in Jordan, marking a significant step in Nebras’ growing regional energy portfolio.

The announcement was made during a meeting attended by Julian Jose Nebrada Marquez, AES President (Europe, Middle East and Asia), and Khalid Mohamed al-Jolo, CEO of Nebras Power. Following the acquisition, Nebras will now hold a 24% stake in the 241 MW facility, which is reported to supply more than 20% of Jordan’s electricity demand.

The transaction is expected to complete next month, subject to final closing conditions.

AES currently retains a 60% interest in the project through its wholly owned subsidiaries, while the remaining shares are held by Japan’s Mitsui & Co.

The Al-Manakhir Plant, which began commercial operations in July of the previous year, operates 16 tri-fuel generating units and uses natural gas, heavy fuel oil, and diesel to meet Jordan’s increasing power needs.

Speaking at the announcement, Fahd Hamad al-Mohannadi, General Manager of Qatar Electricity and Water Company (QEWC) and Chairman of Nebras Power, stated that the latest acquisition of Nebras is in line with the vision of the company’s board of directors to turn Nebras Power into a strong global company.

He emphasized that Nebras, in collaboration with international partners, continues to pursue investments in power generation and water desalination projects both regionally and internationally. The company also owns a 35% stake in the Shams Ma’an Solar PV project in Jordan.

Al-Jolo added:

“Our company started its investments last year after we acquired stakes in the Shams Ma’an project, also in Jordan, and the deal involving Al-Manakhir plant is its second investment in the country in less than a year. It shows how important the Jordan power market is for Nebras.”

He also spoke about plans by the company in such markets as Morocco and Turkey, by investing in productive power plants and also by joining hands with some of the major players at the international level.

Echoing al-Mohannadi’s comments, al-Jolo said the latest investment is in line with Nebras’ long-term strategy to strengthen its international expertise and reach.

Marquez, representing AES, said that AES is committed to delivering best standards and practices in the industry and would utilise all available opportunities in a fast growing market as Jordan, making use of the existing as well as new facilities being developed.

Jordan is rapidly positioning itself as a regional hub for renewable energy, driven by regulatory reform, investor interest, and the Kingdom’s strategic commitment to sustainability.

In January 2017, the EDAMA Association for Energy, Water and Environment, in partnership with USAID, released the first-ever Jordan Clean Technology Sector Report, identifying renewable energy and energy efficiency as the most mature clean technology sectors in the country. The report also highlighted future opportunities in hydropower and biogas.

Momentum in the sector has continued to build. In a recent milestone, His Majesty King Abdullah II presided over the launch of 12 photovoltaic power plants that are expected to contribute an additional 200 MW to the national grid. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR) has also invited expressions of interest for the development of a major utility-scale battery storage facility in the Ma’an governorate — one of the largest of its kind in the region — with phased commissioning scheduled through 2020.

Meanwhile, Jordan’s first commercial wind farm in Tafila recently marked its first anniversary of successful operations.

“The wind farm project in Tafila has laid the foundation for the government to achieve its goal of diversifying energy sources. Since the launch of this project, we’ve advised numerous developers, lenders, and EPC contractors in connection with a number of solar and wind projects,” said Ala’ Khalifeh, (Managing Partner) at Khalifeh & Partners.

Active renewable energy developments are now underway in Ma’an, Fujeij, El Quweira, Mafraq, and Aqaba, supported by a mix of domestic and international financiers, including the International Finance Corporation, ACWA Power, and the European Investment Bank.

Regulatory Landscape

Recent legislative changes — notably the Regulation for Organizing Non-Jordanian Investments No. 77 — have eased restrictions on foreign ownership, making Jordan a more attractive jurisdiction for clean energy investment. In parallel, the Renewable Energy and Efficiency Law (REEEL) provides robust support through long-term PPAs, tax and customs exemptions, and dedicated government incentives.

Jordan has committed to deriving 10% of its total energy mix from renewables by 2020, with continued growth expected beyond that target.

Private Sector and Employment Impact

According to EDAMA, 82% of companies active in the clean energy sector are Jordanian-owned, employing nearly 13,000 individuals — 72% of whom are engineers or technicians. The geographical spread of renewable projects also supports job creation in rural areas, improving local economies and social outcomes.

The sector’s growth has driven the expansion of university-level programs focused on energy engineering, environmental management, and water resource planning, building a talent pipeline for long-term industry development.

In a major win for Jordanian football, Khalifeh & Partners successfully represented Al-Faisaly Football Club in a high-profile appeal before the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), overturning regional disciplinary sanctions that had threatened to sideline key players from both club and national competition.

The dispute arose following the 2017 Arab Club Championship, held in Alexandria, Egypt, during which a controversial referee decision in extra time led to Esperance de Tunis claiming victory over Al-Faisaly. A post-match confrontation resulted in the Union of Arab Football Associations (UAFA) issuing one-year suspensions against five Al-Faisaly players and a club official, alongside financial penalties against the players and the Club.

Subsequently, UAFA requested that these sanctions be extended across Asia by the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee, a move that would have severely impacted both Al-Faisaly FC and the Jordanian National Team, with four of the sanctioned players also serving as national team members.

Khalifeh & Partners, in close coordination with the Jordan Football Association (JFA) and with the strong support of His Royal Highness Prince Ali bin Hussein, filed 16 appeals before the AFC Appeals Committee, seeking to reverse the decision.

On 13 November, the AFC Appeals Committee ruled in favor of Khalifeh & Partners’ appeals, setting aside the extended sanctions in full.

“This is a great achievement; the result has been awaited by practically everyone in Jordan,” said Managing Partner Ala’ Khalifeh, who led the firm’s legal team.
“I’m very proud of our team. The fact that our appeal was upheld speaks to the standard of work that our lawyers adhere to and produce.”

This outcome reinforces Khalifeh & Partners’ growing reputation in sports and entertainment law, having represented the Jordan Olympic Committee, the JFA, and numerous Jordanian athletes.

As Jordan’s sports sector gains increasing international visibility — from Ahmad Abu Ghaush’s Olympic gold medal to ambitious reform plans by the Jordan Olympic Committee — the need for specialised legal support in sports-related regulatory matters is more critical than ever. The firm’s success in this matter highlights Jordan’s preparedness to navigate the legal complexities of modern athletics, both regionally and globally.