Amman, Jan 5 (Petra) – The Lower House Energy and Mineral Resources Committee held a meeting on Monday chaired by MP Ayman Abu Haniyeh, dedicated to conducting an initial review of the draft Gas Law for 2025.
Abu Haniyeh said the draft Gas Law constitutes a modern and integrated legislative framework to regulate gas sector activities and hydrogen derivatives in the Kingdom and comes as a direct response to the requirements of the coming phase in the energy sector, in terms of security of supply, the gradual transition toward clean energy, and strengthening national energy infrastructure.
He explained that the draft law is characterized by clear legislative flexibility, as it covers multiple types of gas, including natural gas, biogas, biomethane, and hydrogen, in line with global shifts toward sustainable energy, and enables Jordan to keep pace with technical and investment developments in this vital sector.
Abu Haniyeh noted that the draft law comprehensively covers key gas activities, including import, transport, distribution, storage, and wholesale and retail sale, within an integrated system that allows for shared or self-use of facilities and provides legislative clarity in regulating all stages of the value chain.
He added that the draft law enables the implementation of major and strategic economic projects and encourages investment in the gas sector through a clear regulatory environment and streamlined licensing procedures covering all project stages, which would stimulate a shift to natural gas and expand transport, distribution, and storage networks, positively impacting the national economy.
Abu Haniyeh pointed out that the draft law establishes clear mechanisms for calculating fees and returns and grants licensees the freedom to conclude investment agreements and sell gas within a transparent environment based on fairness and competitiveness, preserving a balance between the rights of the state and those of investors.
He stressed that the developments included in the draft law would enhance Jordan’s regional standing in gas infrastructure and its derivatives and regulate transit and export activities according to clear and agreed standards, supporting the Kingdom’s role as a regional energy hub.
Abu Haniyeh also said the draft law mandates the application of international operating standards and ensures gas quality and compliance with approved specifications, including the adoption of certificates of origin for green hydrogen, as part of the national transition toward sustainable energy and enhancing global market confidence in Jordanian products.
He explained that the draft law strengthens the role of the Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission as an independent regulator with full supervisory and oversight powers, protecting investors’ rights, ensuring market balance, and reinforcing principles of governance and transparency.
For their part, MPs Jamal Gammoh, Naseem Al-Abadi, Rakin Abu Haniyeh, Mai Al-Harahsheh, Iman Al-Abbasi, and Khader Bani Khaled underscored the importance of the 2025 Gas Law draft and the comprehensive legislative provisions it contains affecting a strategic and vital sector. They stressed that this requires giving the draft the highest priority in terms of discussion and specialized review and examining the experiences of other countries and comparative models in regulating the gas sector and its derivatives in order to reach balanced legislation that enhances energy security, encourages investment, and safeguards the supreme national interest.
Regarding the mining agreement in the Abu Khshaibah area, Abu Haniyeh said the parliamentary energy committee will deal with it with the highest levels of transparency and national responsibility, stressing the committee’s keenness to give the agreement its full right to careful study and scrutiny and to examine all its technical, financial, legal, and environmental details, ensuring protection of the supreme national interest and achieving the best possible return for the Jordanian economy.
//Petra// AF
