AMMAN, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- In the vast desert more than 200 km south of Amman, the Jordanian capital, the giant blades of 13 wind turbines spin steadily, converting the gusting winds into a steady stream of green electricity.
Nearby, four large Chinese characters "Zhong Guo San Xia," meaning "China Three Gorges," stand prominently on the exterior wall of a two-story office building.
The Shobak wind farm, located in Jordan's Ma'an Governorate, was acquired and has been operated by Asia-Africa Green Energy Investment Company Limited, a subsidiary of China Three Gorges International Corporation, since 2021.
Li Fengyi, deputy manager of the company's Renewable Power Plant, said the Shobak wind farm is one of the earliest clean energy projects invested in by Chinese companies in Jordan. With an installed capacity of 44.5 megawatts, it generates approximately 145 million kilowatt-hours of clean electricity annually.
Jordan, long reliant on imported natural gas for electricity generation, has increasingly promoted clean energy development, with renewable energy currently accounting for about 27 percent of the country's total electricity generation. The government aims to raise the share to 40 percent by 2035.
Mohammad Abu Atieh, the company's regional manager for Egypt and Jordan, said China's advanced wind power technologies have improved the Shobak project's performance and helped ensure its long-term stable operation.
Today, the Asia-Africa company has invested in and operates seven new energy plants across Jordan, including two wind farms and five photovoltaic power plants. The plants stretch across about 436 km from northern to southern Jordan, generating around 530 million kilowatt-hours of electricity each year, providing clean energy to 175,000 households, while reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 300,000 tonnes and saving 850,000 tonnes of water each year.
Abu Atieh said China's advanced technologies and extensive experience in new energy complement Jordan's abundant wind and solar resources. He said the two sides have built strong cooperation in green development, with Chinese companies playing an important role in helping Jordan achieve its renewable energy goals.
For Mahmoud Al-Hamydieh, 39, the cooperation has also been a journey of professional and personal growth. He has worked at the Shobak wind farm since its construction began in 2018 and is now responsible for the field management of all seven of the company's power plants in Jordan.
Al-Hamydieh said working for the Chinese company has given him greater opportunities for professional development. Beyond strengthening his technical skills, the experience has broadened his horizons and provided valuable international exposure.
The company recently invited Al-Hamydieh to visit China and participate in an exchange program to learn about the Chinese experience. During the visit, he toured the headquarters of China Three Gorges International Corporation in the Chinese capital of Beijing and the Three Gorges project in Yichang, central China's Hubei Province.
"When I saw firsthand the world's largest hydroelectric project, I deeply appreciated the level of development China has achieved in energy technologies. I also learned a great deal from my direct interaction with my Chinese colleagues," he said.
Beyond supporting Jordan's energy transition, the company has also supported the development of surrounding communities in recent years. It has carried out public welfare activities in areas such as healthcare and education, provided scholarships to local university students, and assisted with community development, allowing more local residents to benefit from Chinese investment.
"I believe that China-Jordan cooperation in green energy is not about short-term project partnerships, but a long-term, sustainable and mutually beneficial strategic commitment," said Li. ■
