The meeting between Jordan’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Saleh Kharabsheh, and Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Karim Badawi, is expected to strengthen Egypt-Jordan cooperation in natural gas and energy.
Diversifying energy sources and advancing natural gas projects were the main topics of discussion at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources in Amman, according to the Jordanian news agency Petra. This is in line with the national security and sustainable development plans of both nations.
In order to carry out upcoming projects that are anticipated to generate favourable economic returns and further enhance regional cooperation, the two parties discussed ways to take advantage of their shared resources and expertise.
Badawi met with the Jordanian-Egyptian Fajr Co. to evaluate its operations and plans while he was in Jordan to build the country’s infrastructure for natural gas. The strategic significance of the main gas network, which stretches 500 kilometres from southern to northern Jordan, was highlighted by the visit.
During his visit, Badawi also assessed the development of strengthening the network’s capacity and associated infrastructure. The Egyptian minister also examined the ongoing and future projects that Egyptian petroleum companies have planned to implement in Jordan.
In order to optimise the economic and environmental advantages of natural gas use in Jordan’s diverse sectors, he emphasised the significance of quickening these initiatives.
Talking about the Egyptian energy sector, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly on December 24 convened a meeting to assess the progress of several key projects within the electricity sector. The meeting included Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mahmoud Essmat, Deputy Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Sabah Mashaly, CEO of the New and Renewable Energy Authority Ahmed El-Khayat, Chairperson of the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company Mona Rizk, and officials from a consulting office.
The Prime Minister stressed the importance of electricity sector projects, particularly those that align with the government’s plan to increase the production and sustainability of new and renewable energy sources. He further highlighted their role in stabilising electrical grids to support national development goals.
Mohamed El-Homsani, the official spokesperson for the Cabinet, said discussions focused on several important projects, most notably the Egyptian-Saudi electrical interconnection project. The meeting reviewed the progress of various components of this project, including overhead lines and submarine cables. A detailed update was provided on the 500 kV DC Egyptian-Saudi interconnection station in Badr City, along with the planned schedule for its completion.
The meeting also included an overview of recent developments in land allocation for renewable energy initiatives. A total of 42,600 square kilometres has been designated for these projects. The locations of planned renewable energy projects through 2040 were examined.
El-Homsani added that the meeting included a progress report on wind power generation projects in the West Gulf of Suez, South Hurghada and Zaafarana regions, along with updates on solar power generation projects.
As per the reports, the status of green hydrogen production projects and related byproducts was also addressed. The meeting included a discussion on framework agreements and memorandums of understanding that have been established. The handover of land to companies undertaking these projects, both in the pilot and initial phases, was also reviewed.
The meeting concluded with a review of several land plots currently under consideration in collaboration with the National Centre for the Utilisation of State Lands. The goal is to leverage these areas for additional electricity generation projects using renewable energy sources, according to El-Homsani.