Jordan Times
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Country looks to reduce
dependence on imported oil
By Mahmoud Al Abed
AMMAN — Jordan has the potential to reduce its
dependency on conventional energy sources and become a regional hub for the
production of renewable energy, participants at an energy conference said on
Tuesday.
The two-day conference, which began yesterday, is organised by the Friedrich
Ebert Stiftung (FES) of Germany in cooperation with the Royal Scientific Society
(RSS) and the National Energy Research Centre (NERC), under the patronage of HRH
Prince Hassan.
“This conference is a timely one: Developing renewable energy technology and
expertise must be a priority on Jordan’s agenda... And harnessing useable energy
from existing flows of energy from ongoing natural processes is something we are
capable of,” HRH Princess Sumaya said in a speech read on behalf of HRH Prince
Hassan.
RSS President Saad Hijazi said the conference “will open doors for Jordan to
become a centre for renewable energy and energy efficiency in the Middle East
through producing equipment and developing expertise,” noting that the country
has already trained people who can develop these technologies.
The conference offers Jordanians and international decision-makers from various
sectors, including businesses, a platform to discuss strategies and options to
enhance energy efficiency in Jordan, according to the organisers.
Burdened with soaring oil prices, Jordan is racing to adopt new sources of
energy to ease pressure on the budget. The country’s oil bill last year stood at
JD1.66 billion, accounting for 20 per cent of the gross domestic product,
according to official figures.
FES Resident Representative in Amman Hans-Reimer von Mutius said the Jordanian
government “has to find solutions for the ever increasing burden that the costs
of imported oil and gas are putting on the national budget.”
“It is high time to bring together representatives of all stakeholders in this
country to discuss ways of how renewable energy can be used to reduce dependency
on imported oil and gas,” he added.
For his part, German Ambassador in Amman Klaus Burkhardt said Jordan could
benefit from his country’s expertise, where 170,000 people work in the renewable
energy industry.