Powering Jordan's Energy Future
The first and largest oil shale power plant in Jordan — generating 470 MW of clean, reliable electricity from indigenous resources.
Fuelling Jordan from Within
Attarat Power Company (APCO) is the developer, owner and operator of Jordan's first oil shale power plant. Located 100km southeast of Amman, APCO operates two 235MW units that came online in 2022 and 2023.
"Attarat goes beyond generating electricity — it acts as a breakthrough for Jordan's energy sector."
Our Companies
The holding company and lead developer for the Attarat project. APCO owns the 30-year PPA with NEPCO.
Operates Jordan's first commercial oil shale mine at the Attarat Um Ghudran concession (42km²).
Responsible for the day-to-day operations, maintenance, and performance optimisation of the power station.
About Attarat
A Vision for National Energy
Attarat Power Company (APCO) was conceived to address one of Jordan's most critical challenges: energy dependence. Through a landmark $2.1 billion investment, APCO built and now operates a 470MW power station at Attarat Um Ghudran, fulfilling a national vision for self-sufficiency.
Senior Management Team
Message from the CEO
Our Companies
The holding company and lead developer for the Attarat project. APCO owns the 30-year PPA with NEPCO.
Operates Jordan's first commercial oil shale mine at the Attarat Um Ghudran concession (42km²).
Responsible for the day-to-day operations, maintenance, and performance optimisation of the power station.
Quality management system standard.
Environmental management system.
Occupational health and safety.
Our Shareholders & Project Sponsors
YTL Power International Berhad (YTL Power)
YTL Power International Berhad is an international multi-utility group active across key segments of the utility industry.
Guangdong Energy Group (Guangdong Energy)
A Chinese state-owned utility, largest utility in Guangdong province.
Eestie Energia AS (Enefit)
Eesti Energia AS known as Enefit is a public limited energy company in Estonia.
Our Power Plant
The Attarat Oil Shale Fired Power Plant
Two 235MW units (554MW gross). Supplying ~17% of Jordan's annual electricity demand.
Back-energization: 6 Sep 2019
Unit 1 COD: 25 Oct 2022
Unit 2 COD: 26 May 2023
Open-cast mine consuming 10 million tonnes of oil shale annually.
Oil Shale Mine:
First Extraction of Oil Shale: Apr 2019
Mine Completion: 26 May 2023
| Component | Specification / Status |
|---|---|
| Power Plant — Boilers | 2 × CFB Boilers (Sumitomo Foster Wheeler) |
| Power Plant — Turbines | Turbine and Generator (Siemens AG) |
| Power Plant Design | Designed by Worley Parsons |
| Unit 1 COD | 25 October 2022 |
| Unit 2 COD | 26 May 2023 |
| Back Energization | 6 September 2019 |
| Crushing & Conveying | 10~11 million tpa of oil shale capacity |
| Ash Handling | More than 6 million tpa of ash disposed |
| Open Pit Mining | First extraction: April 2019; Mine completion: 26 May 2023 |
| Overburden Removed | More than 100 million bank cubic meters (bcm) |
| Operational Mining Rate | c. 10~11 million tons of oil shale per annum |
| Annual Ash Disposal | c. 6~7 million tons per annum |
| Water Supply | 9 operational wells: Allowable: 4 million m³ per year. Actual consumption: around 2 million m³ |
| Site Infrastructure | On-site housing camp, mining camp, explosive storage magazine |
| Transmission and connection | NEPCO substation – Extendable for future units in the Power Plant |
| Auxiliaries and Balance of Plant | Firefighting and fire alarm, instrument and station air, telecommunication, electrification grid, demineralized water treatment, wastewater treatment, evaporation ponds and etc, |
| Location | Attarat Um Ghudran; 110 km from Amman, 300 km from Aqaba |
What is Oil Shale?
A sedimentary rock rich in kerogen — Jordan's most significant natural resource, covering over 70% of the Kingdom's territory and totalling 70 billion tonnes.
The Science
Oil shale is a sedimentary rock rich in organic matter known as kerogen which when heated, breaks down and releases hydrocarbon. Oil shale can be thought of as a precursor to oil and natural gas; with more pressure and over longer geological time, the kerogen would heat to its oil and gas window to release crude oil or natural gas.
Oil shale is extracted using conventional mining techniques. It is crushed and burned as fuel to produce electricity or heated up using retorting system to produce synthetic shale oil — a synthetic crude oil which can be refined into diesel, petrol and jet fuels.
Oil Shale in Jordan
Energy is the blood of any country for growth and stability. Even with more renewables projects, Jordan continues to import more than 90% of the country's energy requirements — mainly natural gas and oil. It is a burden for Jordan and security of energy supply is dependent on foreign countries.
Oil shale is Jordan's most significant natural resource which covers over 70% of the Kingdom's territory, making Jordan the 7th richest country in the world in terms of oil shale deposits. Jordan's most significant deposits can be found in the west-central region of the Kingdom.
Attarat Um Ghudran Development Area
The Project site is on a 37 km² development site in a remote uninhabited area in Attarat Um Ghudran, 110 km south east of Amman and 40 km east of the village of Al Qatrana. The site is easily accessible via the main desert highway between Amman and Aqaba.
APCO selected the oil shale deposit of Attarat Um Ghudran after extensive exploration and geological studies to confirm the quality and quantity of the oil shale.
The Attarat mine has sufficient oil shale resource to supply the power plant for up to 40 years and this is supported by an independent JORC Report.
Project Components
Attarat Oil Shale Fired
Power Plant
Attarat Oil Shale
Mine
Project
Infrastructure
Explore More
Responsible Energy
True Sustainability
APCO is committed to following international standards of best practice in the areas of corporate governance, employee relations, health & safety, community relations and environmental protection, APCO strongly believes that this is the path to true sustainability.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
APCO interacts with and supports the local community at Um Um Al Rassas to ensure the development of a mutually beneficial and sustainable relationship. From the start of the Project, APCO appointed a local resident as its Community Liaison Officer (CLO) to reach out to and bridge the local community.
Local Community Engagement
Companies and enterprises from the local community have been engaged to provide various services for the project including water truck services, earth moving works, dedusting works, clinic services, landscaping works, and waste disposal.
APCO's CSR Core Pillars
Health & Safety
APCO regard its employees' health & safety as a key priority with continuous improvements in safety measures through campaigns, trainings and seminars.
The Attarat Project has achieved over 10 million manhours with no Loss Time Injury (as at 31 December 2019).
Environmental Responsibility
The Project's Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Study was completed and submitted to the Ministry of Environment with approval granted in February 2015.
Advanced Boiler Technology
The plant employs state-of-the-art Circulating Fluidized Bed (CFB) Boilers with naturally low NOx & SOx formation.
Emission Control
Emission particles are captured in an Electrostatic Fabric Integrated Precipitator (EFIP) before release.
Water Conservation
The plant minimizes water usage by using Air Cool Condensers and recycling wastewater.
Ash By-Product Management
The ash by-product is reused in the construction industry or returned to the mine void for restoration.
Awards & Publications
Explore our official reports, policy documents, and certificates which underscore our commitment to operational excellence, safety, and environmental stewardship.
Latest News
Press Releases
Site Visit to Attarat Power Oil Shale Project
To enhance young people’s practical knowledge and raise their awareness of major national projects, Um Ar-Rasas Youth Center organized a site visit...
Attarat organizes a medical day in Umm Al-Rasas
Through its community service initiatives implemented throughout the year, Attarat Power Company organized a free medical day at Umm Al Rasas...
The Hashemite Fund distributes food parcels in Umm Al-RasasPower
The Hashemite Fund for the Development of the Jordanian Badia distributed charity food parcels and aid to families in the district of Umm al-Rasas, the “middle Badia,” ...
Site Visit to Attarat Power Oil Shale Project
To enhance young people’s practical knowledge and raise their awareness of major national projects, Um Ar-Rasas Youth Center organized a site visit yesterday, Monday, to Attarat Power Oil Shale Project, one of the largest energy projects in the Kingdom.
During the visit, participants learned about the mechanism of extracting oil shale and converting it into electrical energy, as well as the project’s significance in supporting the national economy and reducing reliance on imported energy sources. They also received a detailed explanation from Eng. Manhal El-Oqlah, Facility and Administrative Manager at Attarat Power Company (APCO), and Mamdouh Al-Moor, regarding the technologies used and the challenges facing this vital sector.
The young participants expressed their admiration for the project and their pride in Jordan’s advancements in the energy sector. They emphasized the importance of such visits in broadening their understanding and connecting theoretical knowledge with practical reality.
This activity is part of the Youth Center’s programs aimed at empowering young people intellectually and professionally, and familiarizing them with opportunities available in various vital sectors.
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Why Choose Us?
APCO aims to create an inclusive work culture and environment where people from all backgrounds can contribute, flourish and reach their full potential. In the Attarat companies, you will have the opportunity to work with colleagues from more than 10 nationalities.
The Attarat companies consider diversity in its employees essential to drive its business performance. It strives daily to create positive change in everything it does in its long-term mission to bring long-term energy security and independence to Jordan.
The Attarat companies offer unique career growth in the new oil shale industry with exposure to diverse cultures and international work environment. Energize your career with APCO, AMCO and OMCO – we are committed to work excellence.
If you share the same commitment, join us!
Supporting Our Workforce
We provide a comprehensive support system to ensure the well-being, safety, and comfort of our entire team on-site.
World-Class On-Site Housing
A world-class housing facility for up to 650 employees with full catering and recreational facilities.
Comprehensive Medical Support
An on-site medical clinic with a full-time team of qualified doctors and nurses, supported by the Jordan Civil Defense Department.
Secure Site Logistics
Daily shuttle bus services from Amman, Irbid, and Karak for off-site employees, with the Gendarmerie providing site security.
How can we help?
Our Locations
We welcome enquiries from investors, media, suppliers, community partners, and talented job seekers.
Tenders & Procurement
Open Tenders
Attarat Power Company is committed to fair and transparent procurement processes. Below are the current open tenders for the supply of goods and services.
Supply of Heavy-Duty Mining Tires
Annual supply contract for various sizes of heavy-duty tires for our fleet of surface miners and haul trucks operating at the Um Ghudran mine site.
Download RFQAnnual Maintenance Contract for HVAC Systems
Comprehensive annual maintenance contract (AMC) for all HVAC systems across the power plant and administrative buildings, including preventive and corrective maintenance.
Download RFQCatering Services for On-site Workforce
Provision of full catering services for up to 650 personnel at the on-site housing and canteen facilities, including all meals and hospitality operations.