Latest news with #SalehKharabsheh


Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan: SEPCO generates 30% of Jordan's electricity — minister
AMMAN — Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Saleh Kharabsheh said on Thursday that the Samra Electric Power Company (SEPCO) provides around 30 per cent of Jordan's electricity needs, making it one of the country's largest and most critical energy providers. During a ceremony organised by the Samra Company in the Hashemiyah area of Zarqa Governorate to celebrate Jordan's 79th Independence Day, Kharabsheh highlighted the Economic Modernisation Vision as a strategic roadmap for the Kingdom, positioning the energy sector as a critical enabler of other industries and a cornerstone of the national economy. He also underscored the importance of addressing current challenges, transforming them into opportunities, and working toward achieving long-term national goals, according to an Energy Ministry statement. Kharabsheh also noted that the government is working to fully meet the Kingdom's natural gas needs from the Risha gas field within the next five years, through the efforts of the National Petroleum Company. Kharabsheh also highlighted the sector's key milestones, noting that SEPCO began commercial operations in 2005 with a single 100-megawatt gas turbine. "Today, its nominal generation capacity has reached 1,241 megawatts, with a projected total capacity of 1,834 megawatts by 2025," he added. He also commended the plant's efficient operation, managed by highly skilled Jordanian professionals, many of whom are residents of Zarqa, underscoring the company's role in supporting local communities and creating employment opportunities. For his part, SEPCO Director General Engineer Sami Zawatineh hailed the company's achievements since its establishment, reporting a nearly twelvefold increase in electricity production. He also noted the broader progress Jordan has made in developing its energy sector, particularly in electricity generation. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (


Jordan Times
12-05-2025
- Business
- Jordan Times
Ministry launches national solar water heater subsidy programme for low-income households
The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources on Monday launchs a national programme to support low-income households in installing solar water heaters, offering subsidies of up to 50 per cent to reduce electricity bills and promote clean energy use (Petra photo) AMMAN — The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources on Monday launched a national programme to support low-income households in installing solar water heaters, offering subsidies of up to 50 per cent to reduce electricity bills and promote clean energy use. Funded with support from the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security and implemented in partnership with the Jordan Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Fund (JREEEF), the JD5 million programme aims to boost energy efficiency and alleviate economic pressures on vulnerable families, according to a ministry statement. Speaking at a press conference during the launch, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Saleh Kharabsheh said that the four-year programme targets the installation of 12,000 solar water heaters across the Kingdom. Eligible beneficiaries include Jordanian families earning a combined monthly income of JD750 or less and owning no more than one vehicle. "This initiative promotes fairness in government support distribution and empowers low-income households to reduce energy consumption, lower carbon emissions, and save up to JD20 per month on electricity bills," Kharabsheh noted. JREEEF Executive Director Rasmi Hamzeh said that the programme builds on the fund's long-standing efforts in the housing sector, dating back to 2015. He underscored the importance of working with donors, banks, and local organisations to maximise outreach and impact. 'Our goal is to install 90,000 solar water heaters by 2035 in line with the Economic Modernisation Vision,' he said, adding that current national penetration stands at 24 per cent. To simplify access, the Ministry of Energy, in cooperation with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, launched a digital application platform integrated into the government's "Sanad" app. Eligible citizens can apply and receive preliminary approval electronically. Priority will be given to certified local service providers within each governorate. Applicants can choose contractors from a pre-approved list available via the platform or participating banks, the statement said. During the launch event, Kharabsheh signed cooperation agreements with several civil society organisations to support implementation and outreach efforts. Further details on the programme, including application steps, eligibility requirements, and system specifications, are available on the Ministry of Energy's website, JREEEF's social media channels, and at authorised partner banks.


Zawya
09-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan: Energy Ministry, ASEZA discuss efforts to secure natural gas in Aqaba
AMMAN — The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) on Thursday discussed the latest developments in Sheikh Sabah Port Natural Gas Development Project and its gasification facility, which would secure natural gas in the southern industrial zone in Aqaba. During a meeting held in Aqaba, ASEZA Chairman Nayef Fayez discussed with Minister of Energy Saleh Kharabsheh and the ministry's technical team ways to boost cooperation regarding the multi-use liquids port, which aims to increase "efficiency" for this sector, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. They also went over mechanisms for implementing natural gas projects in the southern region. Talks during the meeting discussed the role of the National Water Carrier Project and importance of expediting its completion, as "one of the Kingdom's most vital" projects, which contributes to desalination of the Gulf of Aqaba water and requires providing technical solutions for pumping water through the carrier's routes. Discussions also went over the importance of establishing facilities to meet current and future demand for imported petroleum derivatives and liquefied petroleum gas. This effort will contribute to reducing industrial production costs by using natural gas, enhancing "competitiveness" of Jordanian products domestically and internationally, and "positively" boosting job creation and expansion of the export base to new markets and products, Petra said. Held as part of the framework of implementing the government's strategy, in cooperation with ASEZA, the meeting sought to fulfil obligations towards investors and achieve the Kingdom's vision to supply "major" investment projects with liquefied natural gas across various sectors. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (


Jordan Times
08-05-2025
- Business
- Jordan Times
Minister calls for int'l cooperation to advance renewable energy in Jordan
Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Saleh Kharabsheh on Thursday underscores the need for local, regional, and international cooperation to enhance the use and efficiency of renewable energy in Jordan (Petra photo) AMMAN — Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Saleh Kharabsheh on Thursday underscored the need for local, regional, and international cooperation to enhance the use and efficiency of renewable energy in Jordan. Speaking at the Innovative Energy Solutions conference at the German-Jordanian University (GJU), organised by the university's Energy Engineers Club, Kharabsheh highlighted the urgent need to secure investment and funding for the sector. He emphasised that reducing the cost of renewable technologies hinges on intensified research and development and stronger collaboration between stakeholders, according to a ministry statement. 'The Arab region's desert climate gives it enormous renewable energy potential, positioning it to become a global leader in the field,' Kharabsheh said. He noted that energy is a critical pillar of sustainable development in Jordan, where 76 per cent of the Kingdom's energy needs are met through imports — a burden costing 8 per cent of the GDP due to volatile international oil prices. Kharabsheh stressed that a successful energy transition depends on innovation in renewables and viable alternatives to fossil fuels, with solar energy playing a pivotal role. He noted that Jordan's Economic Modernisation Vision places renewable and alternative energy at its core, guided by a clear roadmap. Reaffirming the government's goal to make Jordan a regional hub for green energy production, the minister pointed to ongoing studies aimed at deploying advanced technologies such as electric transportation, smart grids, electricity storage, and green hydrogen. GJU Vice President for Academic Excellence Iyad Khader said the conference comes at a time of rapid international shifts in the energy sector. He stressed the importance of developing practical, science-based solutions to address challenges such as climate change and technological evolution. The two-day event brings together energy experts from 16 Jordanian universities, aiming to strengthen cooperation and knowledge exchange in the fields of energy efficiency and sustainability. It features interactive workshops and student-led committees focused on solar and wind energy, smart grids, HVAC systems, and sustainable transport, while tackling sector challenges and proposing actionable, innovative solutions.


Jordan Times
08-05-2025
- Business
- Jordan Times
Energy Ministry, ASEZA discuss efforts to secure natural gas in Aqaba
The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority on Thursday discuss the latest developments in Sheikh Sabah Port Natural Gas Development Project and its gasification facility (Petra photo) AMMAN — The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) on Thursday discussed the latest developments in Sheikh Sabah Port Natural Gas Development Project and its gasification facility, which would secure natural gas in the southern industrial zone in Aqaba. During a meeting held in Aqaba, ASEZA Chairman Nayef Fayez discussed with Minister of Energy Saleh Kharabsheh and the ministry's technical team ways to boost cooperation regarding the multi-use liquids port, which aims to increase "efficiency" for this sector, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. They also went over mechanisms for implementing natural gas projects in the southern region. Talks during the meeting discussed the role of the National Water Carrier Project and importance of expediting its completion, as "one of the Kingdom's most vital" projects, which contributes to desalination of the Gulf of Aqaba water and requires providing technical solutions for pumping water through the carrier's routes. Discussions also went over the importance of establishing facilities to meet current and future demand for imported petroleum derivatives and liquefied petroleum gas. This effort will contribute to reducing industrial production costs by using natural gas, enhancing "competitiveness" of Jordanian products domestically and internationally, and "positively" boosting job creation and expansion of the export base to new markets and products, Petra said. Held as part of the framework of implementing the government's strategy, in cooperation with ASEZA, the meeting sought to fulfil obligations towards investors and achieve the Kingdom's vision to supply "major" investment projects with liquefied natural gas across various sectors.