Sep. 17--AMMAN -- The largest power plant to be built in Jordan by the private sector is expected to be operational by the year 2011 with Korean help.

Negotiations are under way over the plan between the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and the state-run Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO), the ministry's spokesperson, Mahmoud Eis, said on Tuesday.

"KEPCO was one of four companies interested in the construction of the 400-megawatt, $500 million plant which will be established in Qatraneh on a build-operate-own basis," Eis told The Jordan Times, adding that KEPCO's offer was the best among the four bids submitted to win the deal.

He added that the ministry invited officials from KEPCO last Monday for talks over the construction of the country's largest private sector natural gas-powered plant, adding that this project will enhance the capabilities of the Kingdom's electric sector.

"We are currently negotiating with them on details of a final agreement that should be concluded soon," a source at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources told Reuters.

He noted that this project is the second to be implemented by the private sector after the Amman East Power Plant, which was implemented in a joint venture between a consortium of AES Oasis and Mitsui and Co. Ltd., constructed over 200 dunums in Al Manakher area with a total generation capacity of 370 megawatts.

The plant was operational last month, Eis added.

Jordan imports 95 per cent of its energy needs and has an annual water deficit of more than 500 million cubic metres, likely to be partially offset with nuclear energy at hand for seawater desalination.

In order to ease the conventional energy bill burden, Jordan has signed several deals with international parties to build its nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

Jordan has already signed memoranda of understanding with the US, Canada, France and the UK. An agreement is expected with Russia this summer.

Officials are optimistic that nuclear production will start in 2016, but success hinges on the country's ability to keep full thrust and maintain the support provided by international parties.

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