National Conveyance Project Management Unit — Ministry of Water and Irrigation

National Conveyance
Project

Jordan's largest water infrastructure initiative — desalinating Red Sea water in Aqaba and conveying it north through a national pipeline network to secure the country's water future.

Overview

300M m³

Annual potable water capacity

2030

Target for first water delivery

2023–2040

National Water Strategy horizon

The project will provide a climate-resilient source of drinking water by desalinating seawater in Aqaba and conveying it to communities across the Kingdom through a modern national water transmission system. By diversifying Jordan's water supply portfolio and reducing reliance on increasingly stressed conventional water resources, the NCP will strengthen the resilience of the national water sector and support long-term development.

Once operational, the NCP will deliver approximately 300 million cubic meters of potable water annually, significantly increasing the availability of safe drinking water for households, businesses, and public services. The project will help address growing water demand, improve supply reliability, and enhance Jordan's ability to meet the needs of a growing population.

As a cornerstone of Jordan's National Water Strategy (2023–2040), the NCP advances the Kingdom's long-term vision for water security while supporting broader economic, social, and environmental objectives. Beyond securing water supplies, the project is expected to contribute to economic growth, improve quality of life, strengthen climate adaptation efforts, and provide a foundation for sustainable development for future generations.

Project Objectives

  1. 1

    Reliable Water Supply

    Secure a reliable, climate-resilient water supply for Jordan's growing population and economy.

  2. 2

    Aquifer Protection

    Reduce over-extraction from groundwater aquifers that have sustained the country for decades.

  3. 3

    Desalination Output

    Deliver approximately 300 million cubic meters of desalinated water annually from 2030.

  4. 4

    Integrated Infrastructure

    Integrate desalination, conveyance, and renewable energy within a single national infrastructure system.

  5. 5

    Economic Modernisation

    Support Jordan's Economic Modernisation Vision through strategic water sector investment.

Project Status

Milestones

50%Complete
Current2026

Financial close

Financial close process underway with international lenders and development partners.

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Key Facts

Annual Water Supply

300million m³

Annual desalinated water supply from the National Conveyance Project.

Beneficiaries

4M+People

More than 4 million people across major governorates in Jordan.

Drinking Water Supply

~40%of demand

Approximately 40% contribution to national drinking water demand.

Conveyance System Length

~450km

Approximately 450 km national conveyance system length.

Desalination Location

AqabaRed Sea

Seawater desalination facility on the Red Sea coast in Aqaba.

Delivery Areas

8+Areas

Aqaba, Ma'an, Tafileh, Karak, Madaba, Amman, Zarqa and northern governorates.

Delivery Target

2030Target

First water expected in 2030.

Project Model

PPPModel

Public-Private Partnership (PPP) concession structure.

Operations Period

26years

26-year operations period under the project concession framework.

Renewable Energy

300MW

Up to 300 MW renewable energy component supporting project operations.

Climate Pressure & Supply Gap

At the same time, climate change is reducing rainfall, groundwater recharge, and surface water availability. National planning projections indicate that by 2040:

~15%

Groundwater recharge decline

~15%

Surface water runoff decline

Rising

Drought frequency & severity

National Strategy & the NCP

To address these challenges, Jordan has pursued a comprehensive water security strategy that combines:

  1. Demand management

  2. Water-use efficiency

  3. Wastewater treatment and reuse

  4. Non-Revenue Water (NRW) reduction

  5. Groundwater protection

  6. Development of new, sustainable water resources

The National Water Strategy identifies the restoration of balance between water supply and demand as a national priority and calls for major investments in non-conventional water resources, including large-scale seawater desalination.

Project Components

01

Seawater Intake and Desalination

Aqaba — Red Sea Coast

Located approximately 18 km south of Aqaba City, the facility uses advanced technology to produce 300 million cubic meters of drinking water every year. To protect the Gulf of Aqaba's unique ecosystem, the system uses a "shallow intake" design (12–20 meters deep) and high-velocity ناشرات that rapidly dilute returned seawater, meeting some of the world's most stringent environmental standards.

02

Conveyance System

Five Governorates — National Corridor

A massive 420 km network of large-diameter pipelines traverses five governorates: Aqaba, Ma'an, Tafileh, Karak, and Amman. To minimize environmental disruption and land use, much of the route is strategically aligned parallel to the existing Disi pipeline.

03

Pumping Stations

Conveyance Corridor

The project features a specialized intake station and five major booster pumping stations. These facilities perform the significant engineering feat of lifting water approximately 1,000 meters from sea level in Aqaba to the high elevations of Amman to ensure a steady, reliable flow.

04

Reservoirs and Storage Facilities

Amman & Distribution Hubs

Strategically located regulating and storage tanks are positioned throughout the system to manage flow and pressure. Water is delivered to major terminal points in Amman, such as the Abu Alanda and Al Muntazah reservoirs, which serve as hubs for distribution to the capital and northern regions.

05

Renewable Energy Integration

Project Sites — Al-Quweira

To support Jordan's sustainability goals, the project incorporates solar and wind energy to help power its operations. This reduces the project's carbon footprint and aligns with the national strategy to have 40% of the water sector's energy come from renewable sources by 2040.

06

Environmental and Social Commitment

Project-Wide

The NCP is built on a foundation of responsibility. We are committed to marine protection through measures such as coral transplantation and continuous environmental monitoring. Beyond water security, the project supports local development by prioritizing jobs for surrounding communities and ensuring that every governorate along the route benefits from a share of the desalinated water.