Amman, Feb. 17 (Petra) – The Lower House of Parliament’s Energy and Mineral Resources Committee on Tuesday took part in a dialogue session, organized by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, on the economic, environmental, social, and governance dimensions of hydrogen project development in Jordan.

According to a committee statement, Chairperson Ayman Abu Hanieh said the panel places particular emphasis on hydrogen projects in light of their promising potential to strengthen energy security and support economic growth. He underscored the need to expedite completion of the legislative and regulatory framework governing the sector to foster an enabling investment climate and clearly delineate institutional mandates.

Abu Hanieh also stressed the importance of aligning hydrogen initiatives with national energy strategies and implementing them within clearly defined, time-bound action plans to optimize resource utilization and position Jordan as a regional hub for clean energy.

He highlighted the significance of the new gas law in reinforcing the stability of the energy sector, noting that the legislation establishes a comprehensive legal framework for gas and clean energy investments. The law, he said, clarifies rights and obligations and streamlines licensing and regulatory procedures, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of the Jordanian market for domestic and regional investors.

Committee members Khader Bani Khaled, Jamal Qamouh, Iman Abbasi, Naseem Abadi, and Rakin Abu Hanieh called for a comprehensive approach to hydrogen development, addressing investment prospects, environmental safeguards, social returns, and governance mechanisms to ensure sustainable and efficient implementation. They also discussed mechanisms to strengthen community engagement and institutional coordination in support of national priorities.

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Saleh Kharabsheh said development of the green hydrogen sector is advancing within established institutional frameworks and in accordance with the national energy strategy and the legislative architecture governing the electricity and gas sectors.

He added that progress is being made toward phased targets, with technical studies underway to assess water requirements and other operational needs, alongside the completion of legal procedures for the concerned companies.

//Petra// AJ