Aqaba, July 26 (Petra) -- Prime Minister Jafar Hassan on Sunday inaugurated two natural gas stations in Aqaba and laid the foundation stone for a major gasification project, as part of the government's strategy to reduce energy costs for industries by 35 to 60 percent, strengthen energy security and enhance the competitiveness of the national economy.

The prime minister inaugurated a natural gas station in Quweira Industrial City, built at a cost of approximately JD8 million with an initial capacity of 30,000 cubic meters per day that can be expanded to 90,000 cubic meters per day.

He also inaugurated a second natural gas station in Aqaba's Southern Industrial Zone, completed in about 10 months at a cost of JD3.5 million, several months ahead of the original 18-month construction schedule. The project followed the laying of its foundation stone by the prime minister in September last year.

The projects are part of the government's efforts to support national industries, lower production costs, expand exports and create a more competitive environment for attracting new investments.

The Quweira Industrial City was developed over an area of 1,800 dunams under a 2013 joint development agreement between the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, the Aqaba Development Corporation and the PBI Aqaba. Infrastructure work for the first phase, covering more than 300 dunams, has been completed, including a pressure measurement and reduction station connected to the Arab Gas Pipeline and the national natural gas network with a capacity exceeding 90,000 cubic meters per hour and an investment of JD25 million.

According to a statement, supplying industrial cities with natural gas is a strategic project that supports national industry, boosts competitiveness, promotes environmental sustainability and contributes to the goals of the Economic Modernization Vision by stimulating growth and creating jobs.

The two stations will provide factories in Aqaba with clean and sustainable energy, enabling manufacturers to expand production, reduce operating costs and attract additional investment.

During the visit, Hassan also laid the foundation stone for the onshore gasification unit project, which will convert liquefied natural gas (LNG) into gaseous form, store it and transport it through pipelines.

The project, estimated to cost around JD90 million, is expected to be completed by the middle of next year with a capacity of up to 700 million cubic feet per day as part of the Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah LNG Terminal Development Project.

The onshore gasification unit will serve as a strategic alternative to floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs), expanding Jordan's energy infrastructure, increasing strategic reserves and providing access to multiple LNG suppliers worldwide. It will also ensure a sustainable fuel supply for electricity generation and industrial use while reducing operating costs for the National Electric Power Company (NEPCO).

The prime minister received a briefing from Aqaba Development Corporation CEO Hussein Safadi on the three projects and their role in strengthening energy security, diversifying energy sources, reducing industrial energy costs and supporting investment.

Separately, Hassan visited the Aqaba Marine Reserve following its inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The UNESCO listing recognizes the reserve's exceptional marine biodiversity and its role in conserving coral reefs, marine ecosystems and wildlife.

During the visit, he praised the efforts behind the achievement and stressed the importance of building on the designation to strengthen Aqaba's tourism, environmental and economic standing.

Environment Commissioner of the ASEZA Nidal Awran briefed the prime minister on the reserve, which is home to more than 150 coral species, over 500 fish species and around 1,000 rare and endangered marine species, making it one of the most biodiverse marine areas in the region.

//Petra// AJ