Jordan approves 10-year energy strategy to boost domestic gas and renewables
03/05/2026 | 21:03:32
Amman, May 3 (Petra) -- The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources said a new energy sector strategy for 2025–2035 sets out a comprehensive national vision to strengthen energy security and accelerate the shift to clean, sustainable sources, supporting economic competitiveness and growth across productive sectors.
The cabinet approved the strategy on Sunday as a national framework to guide sector policies, programs, and projects, aiming to enhance coordination across government and direct investment toward clear priorities in the coming phase.
According to a ministry statement, the strategic direction focuses on maximizing the use of local resources while accelerating the adoption of modern technologies to build a smart, flexible, and sustainable energy system.
The strategy promotes an integrated model that encourages expanded use of domestic natural gas and renewable energy sources to increase self-reliance and enhance the reliability of the kingdom's energy sector.
A key pillar is the expansion of domestic natural gas use as a driver of the transition. Major projects include developing the Risha gas field, with output targeted to reach 418 million cubic feet per day by 2029 and 812 million cubic feet per day by 2035 to meet rising demand.
Plans also include constructing a pipeline linking the Risha field to the Arab Gas Pipeline, expected to be operational by 2029, and continuing to convert industries to run on natural gas, with demand projected at around 173 million cubic feet per day by 2035. Distribution networks are to be expanded in Amman and Zarqa, covering residential, industrial, and service sectors.
The strategy also prioritizes renewable energy and green hydrogen, targeting a 40% share of renewables in the electricity mix by 2035, alongside new solar and wind generation capacity.
Jordan plans to begin commercial production of green hydrogen by 2030, reaching around 500,000 tons by 2035.
Development plans include expanding power generation using combined-cycle technology between 2027 and 2030 to meet growing demand; introducing modern storage solutions, including battery systems and pumped-storage projects; and reducing electricity losses to 8% by 2035.
The strategy also envisages applying time-of-use tariffs across all sectors by September 2026 to help manage demand and reduce peak loads.
In transport, the plan supports a shift toward clean energy, targeting electric vehicles to account for 60% of annual new car sales, with total EV numbers reaching around 500,000, while also introducing compressed natural gas, particularly for heavy vehicles.
//Petra//AF