Amman, March 12 (Petra) -- Chairperson of the Jordan Chamber of Industry Fathi Jaghbir said gas supplies to the Kingdom’s industrial sector are secured through three main sources, noting that current regional developments have not affected all sources equally.

Jaghbir told the Jordan News Agency (Petra) that the first source is imported natural gas supplied through the regional network, which has recently experienced disruptions due to regional supply chain challenges. The interruptions led to temporary supply cuts for some factories connected to the network, prompting them to switch to alternative fuels such as diesel, heavy fuel oil, or liquefied natural gas (LNG) to maintain production continuity.

He added that the second source is domestically produced gas from the al-Risha gas field, whose supplies remain stable and unaffected by current circumstances. Several factories receive gas from the field through direct supply agreements, making it a key contributor to strengthening energy security for the industrial sector.

Jaghbir said the third source is imported liquefied natural gas, which remains available and has not been directly affected so far. However, he noted that ongoing regional developments could influence LNG prices or import costs if tensions persist in global energy markets or disrupt international shipping routes.

He explained that factories affected by supply interruptions have the operational capacity to switch to alternative fuels, including diesel, heavy fuel oil, and LNG, to operate boilers and heating systems and ensure uninterrupted production. These alternatives, he noted, are generally more expensive than natural gas, which could raise operating costs if reliance on them continues for extended periods, particularly in energy-intensive industries.

Jaghbir highlighted that the industrial sector has benefited in recent years from the introduction of natural gas as a lower-cost energy source, which has helped enhance the competitiveness of industrial output and strengthened the ability of Jordanian manufacturers to compete in domestic and export markets.

He warned that prolonged disruptions could renew pressures associated with higher energy costs, particularly since diesel and heavy fuel oil remain costlier than natural gas.

Despite these challenges, Jaghbir said the sector has become more adaptable in recent years due to diversified energy sources, the gradual expansion of renewable energy use, and the operational experience factories have gained in managing supply disruptions.

He noted that the number of factories connected to the natural gas network in the Kingdom remains relatively limited compared with the total number of industrial facilities. Gas supplies are mainly provided to a select group of factories located within the network’s coverage areas or those with direct supply agreements, either through the network or from the al-Risha field.

Nevertheless, he said these factories represent a significant share of the industrial production base because of their heavy reliance on thermal energy in manufacturing processes.

Natural gas consumption is concentrated mainly in energy-intensive industries, including chemicals, fertilizers, and mining, as well as certain food industries that rely on boilers and steam in their production processes, in addition to paper, cardboard, and some pharmaceutical manufacturing activities.

Jaghbir explained that the impact of supply disruptions varies among industrial sectors depending on their reliance on thermal energy. Heavy industries are typically more affected than light industries that depend primarily on electricity or operate less energy-intensive production processes.

He added that factories connected to the gas network are typically located in or near major industrial zones and clusters where medium and heavy industries operate.

Jaghbir underscored that current circumstances highlight the importance of strengthening reliance on local energy sources, particularly gas from the al-Risha field, given its role in enhancing energy security, mitigating the impact of regional supply disruptions, stabilizing production costs, and supporting the competitiveness of Jordanian industry.

//Petra// AJ