25% of Jordan's energy bill wasted — minister

AMMAN — About 25 per cent of the Kingdom's energy bill, amounting to hundreds of millions of dinars, is wasted due to inefficiency, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Saleh Kharabsheh said on Wednesday.

Speaking at the Enhancing Efficiency in the Industrial Sector forum, Kharabsheh reiterated Jordan's commitment to achieving energy security through cost-effective and sustainable measures.

Organised by the Jordan Chamber of Industry (JCI) in cooperation with USAID, the forum explored ways to improve energy efficiency across the industrial sector, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Kharabsheh expressed optimism that the JCI's National Centre for Energy and Environmental Sustainability would play a key role in advancing energy security goals.

He stressed the ministry's ongoing efforts to work with industries and households to improve energy efficiency, highlighting the opportunity for industries to benefit from time-of-use electricity rates during off-peak hours. 

In addition, the minister announced plans to extend these tariffs to the hospitality and healthcare sectors starting next year, enabling them to optimise energy consumption and reduce costs.

JCI Vice President and President of the Irbid Chamber of Industry Hani Abu Hassan highlighted the vital role of the industrial sector in Jordan's economy, saying: “Contributing to 25 per cent of GDP and providing some 250,000 direct jobs, the sector significantly reduces unemployment rates and improves living standards”.

Abu Hassan also referred to the sector's role in driving Jordan's international trade, noting that industrial exports account for 90 per cent of the Kingdom's total exports.

Chairman of the National Centre for Energy and Environmental Sustainability Ahmad Biss announced the official launch of the centre, describing it as a "technical and operational hub" for addressing environmental challenges in the industrial sector.

"The centre will serve as an incubator for sustainability projects, ensuring that innovative solutions are implemented to balance economic development with environmental protection," he said.