Kharabsheh calls for renewable energy cooperation among Mediterranean countries

AMMAN — Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Saleh Kharabsheh on Sunday called for embarking on electric connections between countries in the southern and eastern Mediterranean, which have some of the highest solar emissions, and countries in the northern Mediterranean, which have some of the lowest energy costs.

Delivering Jordan's speech on behalf of Kharabsheh at the 12th meeting of the General Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), held in Abu Dhabi, ministry’s secretary general Amani Azzam highlighted the importance of utilising the available opportunities through international institutions concerned with developing infrastructure and legislation. 

The minister, during the virtual session, said that the transition towards green energy has become a reality for daily life and is supported by global directives and the recommendations of COP26 to double international commitments to reduce emissions through the use of renewable energy, according to a ministry statement. 

He added that Jordan seeks to utilise renewable energy resources, whether for generating power, where the Kingdom seeks to generate 50 per cent of power needs through renewable energy resources by 2030, or for other uses, such as thermal energy in the industry, hospital and various service sectors. 

The minister noted that the combined capacities of solar and wind energies to generate electricity currently stands at 2,400 megawatts that contribute to generating more than 25 per cent of the Kingdom's electricity, while this percentage did not exceed 1 per cent in 2014.