FAO and partners pilot innovative floating solar system at King Talal Dam to boost energy and conserve water

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Jordan Valley Authority organized a field visit to the King Talal Dam to explore the pilot project, " Lowering Costs via Efficiency Gains of Floating Solar Energy Systems (LEGS)" for a water-cooled floating solar energy system, in a qualitative step towards raising energy efficiency and reducing water loss in Jordan.

The visit was attended by representatives from embassies and partner ministries, research institutions and local communities, who were briefed on the performance of the floating system and the innovative technologies used in it.

This project is part of the Jordan Valley Authority's efforts to promote a green transition in the water sector, where electricity costs represent approximately 20% of total operating expenses. The floating system is an innovative solution to reduce these costs by utilizing water bodies to generate clean energy and improve operational efficiency.

The system relies on solar panels floating on the surface of the dam and cooled by the surrounding water, increasing their efficiency by 5 to 15% compared to land-based panels, and reducing water evaporation by up to 90%. The pilot system, which began data collection in August 2025, is currently being compared to a traditional ground-mounted panel. As of early November, the system has already generated over 730 kWh of energy utilized by the Jordan Valley Authority (JVA). 

During the visit, Eng. Hisham Al-Hayseh, Secretary General of the Jordan Valley Authority, reviewed the details of the project, noting that "the Authority seeks, through this model, to enhance energy efficiency in water and agriculture projects, reduce carbon emissions, and support scientific research in the fields of renewable energy." He added that this project reflects the Authority’s commitment to adopting innovative and sustainable solutions to preserve natural resources and enhance international partnerships, in addition to raising energy efficiency and expanding the exploitation of renewable energy in line with the Jordan Valley Authority’s 2024-2026 strategy.

Dr. Abdelhakim Elwaer, FAO’s Assistant Director- General & Regional Representative for the Near East and North Africa, affirmed that the project “embodies a model of fruitful cooperation between national institutions and international organizations to support efficient energy and water management and achieve food and water security.”

Eng. Mohammad AlHyari, Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture, explained that the project reinforces the Ministry’s directions towards expanding clean energy in irrigation and agricultural production.

"This Floating PV system is a game-changer for a water-scarce country like Jordan," said Eng. Nabil Assaf, FAO Representative in Jordan. "Not only does it offer an energy efficiency boost by cooling the panels, but its ability to significantly reduce water evaporation provides a critical, dual-benefit solution. This project is about building resilience—delivering reliable, affordable energy while aggressively protecting our most precious resource, water, for the benefit of farmers and communities."

Dr. Ibrahim Al-Rawashdeh, Director General of the National Agricultural Research Center, pointed out that the center’s policy includes the shift towards smart agriculture through funding specialized scientific research in this field.

The project is being implemented in partnership between the FAO and the Jordan Valley Authority, within a comprehensive national vision aimed at enhancing energy efficiency and water resource sustainability in Jordan and supporting the green transition in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.