Acting Secretary-General of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahjat Al-Adwan said Jordanian oil shale represents one of the Kingdom’s key energy resources, stressing the importance of continuing to develop its utilization and boosting investment in the sector to strengthen energy security and diversify energy sources.
اضافة اعلان
Speaking at the opening of the Fourth International Oil Shale Conference, organized today by Al-Balqa Applied University in cooperation with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Al-Adwan said the ministry’s policy is based on relying on multiple energy sources to ensure continuity of supply and strengthen the security of the electricity system.
These sources include natural gas, petroleum products, oil shale and renewable energy.
He noted that renewable energy currently accounts for around 27% of Jordan’s electricity mix, stressing that the ministry is working to increase this share while continuing to utilize various domestic and imported energy sources within a diversified mix that ensures stable and continuous electricity supplies.
Al-Adwan said the Attarat project, which generates electricity from oil shale, contributes around 14% of the Kingdom’s electricity needs. He stressed that Jordan has advanced expertise in the oil shale sector and that the ministry continues to work on maximizing the benefits of this national resource.
He explained that the challenges faced by some oil shale projects have largely been linked to economic feasibility, as well as production and processing costs. He emphasized that the ministry views oil shale as a national resource that warrants continued research, development and investment in technologies for its utilization.
Al-Adwan called on investors to take advantage of opportunities available in the oil shale sector, whether in electricity generation or the production of petroleum products. He said the ministry is ready to receive, study and technically and financially assess investment proposals and projects in accordance with applicable legislation and environmental requirements.
He added that the ministry is working to develop ways to utilize waste and ash generated from oil shale combustion and processing, including the possibility of using them in various industries such as cement production, while also studying the potential use of the elements and components they contain.
Al-Adwan stressed the importance of ensuring that the conference produces practical recommendations that can benefit the government and investors, contributing to greater attention to oil shale, the development of its uses and the promotion of investment in the sector.
He praised the university and the conference’s organizing committee for continuing to hold specialized conferences on oil shale, stressing the importance of such events in bringing together researchers, experts and investors and facilitating the exchange of expertise, research and practical experiences related to this national resource.
For his part, Al-Balqa Applied University Vice President Dr. Zaid Al-Anbar said discussions on oil shale go beyond its role as an alternative energy source to encompass energy independence, national security and economic growth, particularly amid rapid changes in global energy markets.
He highlighted the importance of balancing the exploitation of natural resources with environmental protection and developing sustainable technologies for extracting and processing oil shale in ways that reduce emissions and protect ecosystems while ensuring efficiency and economic viability.
He also stressed the importance of strengthening partnerships among universities, government institutions and the private sector, while supporting applied scientific research and innovation to develop practical solutions that serve the future of the energy sector.
The two-day conference, being held in Amman, examines the latest scientific and technological developments in the field of oil shale, investment opportunities, and technologies for its extraction and processing. It also addresses the economic, environmental and investment aspects of the sector, with the participation of researchers, experts, academics and specialists from Jordan and abroad.
Source: Al-Ghad
