Ramallah: MENA Geothermal has recently completed the installation of the largest geothermal heating and cooling system in the entire Middle East and North Africa Region (MENA). The project was implemented in the Science and Business Department buildings at the American University in Madaba. According to the company’s announcement, the project was initiated last July 2011 and was completed on August 2012.

In this regard, Mr. Khaled Al Sabawi,  Founder and President of MENA Geothermal, states: “This universal achievement in Jordan has been realized by highly competent and qualified Palestinians. The implementation of the project required intensive effort and continuous work in order to receive the different approvals from the various official bodies, ministries, and municipalities, in order to eventually be able to begin the implementation of the project. We drilled 420 vertical wells reaching a depth of 100m into the ground, achieving a cooling capacity of 1680 kW and a heating capacity of 1350 kW, amounting to enough energy to efficiently and fully heat and cool these two buildings to an extent that exceeds conventional heating and cooling systems. This total capacity is equivalent to heating and cooling 112 average sized homes.”

On the advantages of a geothermal system, Mr. Al Sabawi, the first certified geothermal engineer in the whole MENA region, stated: “Geothermal heating and cooling systems have been identified by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency as the most environment-friendly systems. The system AUM eliminates carbon dioxide emissions by 233,638 kg per year (saving 47% when compared to other conventional systems). Additionally, the system is highly efficient and does not require a lot of maintenance. It is an economical solution, reducing heating costs by 70%, which is roughly 4 kilo-watt units of electricity per every 1 kilo-watt consumed unit.”

Also, he added: “Like many other countries, Jordan suffers a lack of resources and a high cost of energy. Jordan imports 46% of its energy to meet the increasing demand of the population. This makes resorting to geothermal heating and cooling technology, an urgent necessity and a smart approach with high economic feasibility and great benefit to the environment. We expect large future demand for this system.”

Moreover, Mr. Al Sabawi announced the opening of a new office in Amman, Jordan. He emphasized that the core objective of the project at this phase is to expand the use of geothermal technology in the MENA region, which is considered one of the highest energy consumption regions in the world. Through this approach, we are able to achieve sustainable development, and are able to increase awareness on the use of this scientifically advanced technology.”

It is worth noting, that MENA Geothermal has been rewarded internationally for this project in 2012, for the second time, receiving the Energy Globe Award, one of the most prestigious international awards granted annually to the best environmental projects worldwide. In addition to the Madaba project, MENA Geothermal has signed a contract to install geothermal heating and cooling in a large villa in Dabouk, Amman.

MENA Geothermal is witnessing rapid development, and through its highly trained and experienced engineers it has proven the high efficiency of geothermal systems in several of its implemented projects in Palestine and abroad. In Palestine, MENA Geothermal has installed geothermal system in the  headquarter building of Union Construction and Investment in Al Masyoun, Ramallah, which formed the true beginning of their emerging work, and made MENA Geothermal the focus of attention of many international organizations dealing with the issues of environment and sustainable energy. Furthermore, MENA Geothermal has installed geothermal systems in an apartment in the Arcadia Residential Complex building and in a model villa in the Etihad Villas community, a project by Union Construction and Investment, MENA’s parent Company. UCI, is a leading Palestinian company working in the field of real estate development in Palestine. Mr. Khaled Al Sabawi is also the General Manager of UCI.

On an international level, MENA Geothermal has signed a contract to provide consultancy services to design two geothermal heating and cooling systems applying the use of geothermal energy in India.

Finally, MENA Geothermal has been selected by Arabia 500 as the fastest developing and most dynamic companies, while Mr. Khaled Al Sabawi was selected by Arabian Magazine amongst the 500 most powerful and influential Arab figures in the world, for the year 2012.