Amman: The "Jordan-European Union Summit," led by His Majesty the King alongside European Council President Ant³nio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, has bolstered Jordan's role as a regional forerunner in energy transition, while infusing new momentum and strategic depth into the bilateral relations, particularly in the energy sector.
According to Jordan News Agency, the summit underscored the European Union's recognition of Jordan as a politically stable strategic ally, emphasizing its crucial geographic positioning in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East. This comes amid global initiatives to move away from reliance on traditional fossil fuels and geopolitically sensitive energy sources.
The joint statement from the Jordan-EU meeting highlighted Jordan's decision to join the Global Energy Transition Forum, an initiative by the European Union and international partners aimed at fostering collaborative advancements in renewable energy and energy efficiency. The commitment to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Paris Climate Agreement, and efforts to accelerate the global green transition were reaffirmed, focusing on cooperation in energy transition, low-carbon hydrogen, energy efficiency, electricity storage, sustainable transport, agriculture, and green technology.
The European Union pledged support for energy interconnection and infrastructure development to bolster Jordan's renewable energy capabilities. Former Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Ibrahim Saif noted Jordan's leadership in renewable energy, pointing out the significant share of renewables in the nation's energy mix. Former Director General of the National Electric Power Company Amjad Rawashdeh emphasized that Jordan's accession to the Global Energy Transition Forum is a pivotal milestone for the Kingdom's energy transition and sustainable development, offering practical opportunities across economic, technical, and financial domains.
Rawashdeh further elaborated on the forum's potential to enhance Jordan's economic competitiveness and market access to Europe through transition pathways supported by implementable policies, while deepening cooperation in renewable energy, hydrogen, and green technology sectors. He highlighted Jordan's success in establishing a regional leadership position in energy transition despite limited resources, with renewable energy contributing nearly 30% to the electricity mix.
Energy expert Hashem Aqel credited the summit's success to His Majesty's leadership, asserting that it represents a qualitative leap in Jordan-EU relations and positions Jordan as a key player in the energy transition. Aqel underscored the economic necessity of shifting towards renewable energy, opening avenues for European financing in solar and wind projects, and enhancing the competitiveness of Jordanian industries.
Oil and petroleum expert Mubarak Tahrawi described Jordan's joining of the Global Energy Transition Forum as a strategic opportunity, particularly in addressing water scarcity and high energy costs. He highlighted the importance of integrating energy transition efforts with water security initiatives, such as renewable-energy-powered desalination and solar-powered pumping stations, crucial for achieving long-term national security objectives.
Tahrawi also mentioned the potential for Jordan to produce blue hydrogen and develop an integrated energy and mining project in Risha, which could spur economic growth and revitalize agricultural areas. The forum's focus on financeable projects aligns with Jordan's needs, offering access to international financing tools to support significant national projects.