Jordan is ramping up its efforts to become a central player in green hydrogen production in the Middle East, as announced by Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Saleh Kharabsheh last week, reports The Jordan Times.
During a recent roundtable with potential green hydrogen investors, Kharabsheh emphasized the global shift towards sustainable energy and Jordan’s readiness to play a pivotal role in this sector. The minister outlined Jordan's vision of becoming a hub for green hydrogen, which he sees as a viable alternative to fossil fuels in the future.
“We envision Jordan as a regional leader in green energy production,” Kharabsheh stated, noting that the Ministry of Energy has already entered 13 memoranda of understanding along with a framework agreement with prominent international companies.
Kharabsheh highlighted the potential for Jordan’s green hydrogen sector to attract global leaders, especially considering green hydrogen's versatility. This renewable resource can be converted into green ammonia for use in various industrial, agricultural, and energy applications, opening doors for multiple sectors.
In partnership with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the World Bank Group (WBG), Jordan plans to develop infrastructure that will make green hydrogen production more cost-competitive, fostering the viability of upcoming projects.
Gretchen Biery, EBRD’s Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, expressed support for Jordan’s ambitions, stating, “We are pleased to facilitate cooperation among stakeholders in Jordan’s green hydrogen sector.” Biery affirmed EBRD’s commitment to assisting Jordan’s government and developers in identifying optimal infrastructure models to maximize investment.
Mohammed Qamh, a senior energy expert from WBG, stressed the need for regulatory frameworks to advance the sector. He noted that the World Bank is actively involved in technical studies and financing efforts to support Jordan in establishing the necessary legislation for green hydrogen.
International consulting firm ILF, contracted by EBRD, also presented an update on project planning and stakeholder engagement, emphasizing Jordan’s goal to emerge as a hub for green hydrogen and ammonia production. The firm's representative underscored that Jordan’s strategic planning has built-in flexibility, with essential infrastructure for engineering, energy supply, water access, ammonia storage, and pipeline development for desalination and distribution. Additionally, port facilities are planned to facilitate hydrogen exports.
The ministry revealed that seven investors are currently conducting feasibility studies, with sector investment potentially reaching $28 billion by 2030.
Jordan’s National Hydrogen Strategy, aligned with the nation’s Economic Modernisation Vision and National Energy Strategy, outlines ambitious renewable energy and hydrogen production goals. By 2030, the Kingdom aims to reach 8 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy, expanding to 22GW by 2040 and 47GW by 2050.
The targets for hydrogen production are equally robust, with an aim to generate 0.6 million metric tons annually (MMTPA) by 2030, scaling up to 1.5MMTPA by 2040 and 3.4MMTPA by 2050. Jordan also has substantial export goals, with plans to export 0.5MMTPA of hydrogen by 2030, doubling to 1MMTPA by 2040, and reaching 2.3MMTPA by 2050.
The final project report, summarizing findings from roundtable discussions and other deliverables, is expected by December 2024, setting the stage for Jordan’s transformation into a green hydrogen leader in the region.
