AMMAN — Energy
experts have called for the elimination of imported oil derivatives from
Jordan’s energy mix, in favor for higher reliance on renewable energy sources
such as wind, geothermal, hydro, and solar energy, arguing the economic
feasibility of such a strategy.
اضافة اعلان
Amer
Shoubaki, an energy expert, told Jordan News that "there
have been serious attempts since 2014 for using green energy sources, as well
as, the latest strategy envisioning that in 2030 there will be 50 percent
dependence on green energy sources for generating electricity."
"Jordan's
bill of oil derivatives reached in 2020 approximately $3 million,"
Shoubaki said. "Transportation uses almost 60 percent of oil derivatives,
and that means that [transportation] is the greatest obstacle for Jordan and
Jordanians for eliminating the usage of oil derivatives."
Shoubaki
claimed that another hindrance for the green energy switch is that green energy
projects are costly.
"I
can say in this regard too that the government benefits from our usage of
petroleum products; 33 percent of the government’s tax revenue comes from these
products and that means that the government is going to lose [revenue] if we eliminate
or reduce the use of oil," he added.
Zuhair
Sadeq, another energy expert, told Jordan News that Jordan “cannot
live without petroleum products despite their high prices or negative impacts
on the environment."
"Look
around: cars, airplanes, ships, almost everything around us needs oil
derivatives. Even if we start using green sources they will not replace oil,"
Sadeq said.
Sadeq
argued that Jordan needs to ensure sufficient supply of oil derivatives rather
that substitute the commodity for another.
"Contrary
to what it is said, I can confirm to you through my studies and research that
we in Jordan have large quantities of oil, we just need to know how to benefit
from it and extract it through the right drilling operations,” Zuhair claimed.
Sadeq
argued that ongoing regional conflicts are affecting oil prices and supply,
noting that the answer is that “we need to have our own oil sources."
The
prices of oil derivatives in the global markets increased in the first week of
the current month of June compared to the average prices in the month of May,
according to data from the
Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.
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