Amman: Energy security is among the priorities emphasized by His Majesty King Abdullah II as a key factor in supporting sustainable development, national stability, and economic growth amid global changes. This falls within a comprehensive vision that places sustainability at the center of the Economic Modernisation Vision, focusing on strengthening Jordan's energy security and increasing reliance on national resources through diversifying energy sources, reducing dependence on imports, and implementing strategic projects and proactive plans to address regional and global developments.
According to Jordan News Agency, during a meeting to follow up on government measures to enhance energy and food security, His Majesty stressed the importance of continuing efforts to diversify energy sources and expand the use of local and renewable energy resources to improve self-reliance and support the competitiveness of economic sectors and essential services. The King directed the government to continue developing and implementing plans to strengthen strategic energy reserves, enhance the readiness of the national system, and ensure its sustainability and ability to respond to various developments.
The Jordan Petroleum Refinery Company reflects these directives through its role in ensuring the continuity of petroleum product supplies, maintaining strategic reserves, and supporting the resilience of the national energy system. The company's Chief Executive Officer, Engineer Hassan Al-Hayari, said the company, in coordination with relevant government entities, is working to strengthen strategic reserves of petroleum products and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to ensure continued supplies and meet local market needs efficiently and reliably. He added that, as part of the company's strategic plan, work is underway to construct five spherical tanks for storing LPG with a total capacity of 10,000 tonnes at the refinery site in Zarqa, along with another project to build two spherical tanks with a storage capacity of 4,000 tonnes in Aqaba.
Energy expert Hashem Aql said Jordan is working to enhance its energy security through strategic reserves and greater private-sector participation. He said Jordan's approach to energy security and strategic reserves is based on diversifying sources and involving the private sector in investment, mining, transportation, and storage activities. Aql explained that Jordan relies on an integrated system for securing petroleum products and gas supplies, led by The Jordan Oil Terminals Company (JOTC) in cooperation with marketing companies. He noted that the Kingdom has strategically distributed storage facilities, including the storage complex in Al-Madouna, Amman, and facilities in Aqaba.
Secretary-General of the Renewable Energy Authority Engineer Mohammad Al-Taani said the coming phase requires translating royal directives into practical programs and projects focused on expanding investment in local and renewable energy sources and increasing self-generation of electricity. He said these efforts would contribute to improving self-reliance, reducing energy costs, enhancing economic competitiveness, attracting investment, and creating employment opportunities. Al-Taani called for accelerating Arab electricity interconnection projects and establishing specialized companies in areas including digital energy, energy storage, smart grid management, and the use of artificial intelligence in the energy sector.