Minister Inaugurates Natural Gas Station to Supply Qastal Industrial Zone

Amman, October 27 (Petra) — Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Saleh Kharabsheh inaugurated a natural gas supply station on Sunday, aimed at servicing factories operating in the Qastal Industrial Zone.

The station, managed by the Jordanian Egyptian Fajr Company for Natural Gas Transmission and Supply, consists of two units for measuring and reducing natural gas pressure, forming the foundation for extending low-pressure natural gas sub-networks throughout the Qastal area to reach factories interested in transitioning to this energy source.

During the inauguration, Kharabsheh underscored the project’s significance as part of a national initiative to expand natural gas distribution across Jordanian cities and industrial zones. He noted that this resource offers a cost-effective energy alternative, bolstering local industries’ competitive edge, expanding market access, increasing production capacity, and fostering job creation within the Qastal area.

Highlighting the ministry’s commitment to the industrial sector, Kharabsheh detailed measures to supply natural gas to other key industrial zones, including Rawdah, Muwaqqar, Quweira, Mafraq, Qastal, and Hashimiya. He noted that natural gas provides cost savings of around 35 percent compared to diesel and more than 50 percent relative to heavy fuel when generating electricity. These efforts align with the Economic Modernization Vision, targeting over 10,000 job opportunities and an economic growth rate of 5.6 percent by 2030.

Kharabsheh described the industrial sector as essential for economic growth and job creation, emphasizing its role in the national economy and its contribution to reducing unemployment.

With an initial supply capacity of 20,000 cubic meters per hour, the Qastal station can increase output as new factories join the network, enabling reductions in production costs, greater competitiveness of local industries, energy conservation, and lower carbon emissions. The station sources its supply from the Arab Gas Pipeline, which spans the Kingdom from north to south, with gas traveling through a 12-inch branch line before reaching factories in the Qastal area.

Initiated in late 2023, the project aligns with Jordan’s comprehensive energy sector strategy for 2020-2030. It aims to enhance the availability of natural gas, particularly within the industrial sector, supporting local industries in reducing production costs, boosting exports, and competing in global markets. Additionally, natural gas helps industries cut energy expenses and significantly lowers reliance on other fuel derivatives, underscoring its environmental benefits and economic advantages.

//Petra// AJ
27/10/2024 15:07:05