Jordan Secures Energy Future with Aqaba Gas Stations

Prime Minister Jafar Hassan inaugurated two natural gas stations in Aqaba on Sunday as part of Jordan's strategy to reduce energy costs by 35% to 60%. The new facilities will provide a flexible and long-term supply of gas, reducing the reliance on pricier liquid fuels. Energy expert Hashem Aqel explained that this initiative will cut power generation costs for the National Electric Power Company (NEPCO) and shield it from financial strains caused by past Egyptian gas disruptions.

The project includes exempting liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments from fees, replacing the current floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) with a lower-cost lease-to-own vessel, and developing a permanent onshore regasification terminal. This will make Jordan's gas network more resilient and allow for better supply management.

Aqel emphasized that local market needs come first and highlighted the Kingdom's ability to import, regasify, and send natural gas to Syria through the Arab Gas Pipeline. Similar plans are under review for Lebanon, but Aqel stressed that the focus remains on the domestic market.