jordan pulse -

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Saleh Kharabsheh on Thursday inaugurated national dialogue workshops aimed at supporting energy transition policies, strengthening public-private coordination, and addressing regulatory and financing challenges to accelerate clean energy projects.

The initiative is part of the Sustainable Energy Investment Accelerator program, implemented in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The workshops include panel discussions on empowering the private sector to lead energy transition, mobilizing capital, mitigating investment risks, and enhancing the financial viability of clean energy projects.

Speaking at the opening session, Kharabsheh said the workshops provide a key platform to enhance collaboration among stakeholders in the energy sector, particularly in light of prevailing regional and global developments and their impact on the sector.

He stressed the need to accelerate investment in sustainable energy and adopt more flexible and resilient approaches to planning and developing energy systems. He added that the ministry is working to position Jordan as a regional hub for energy production and exchange with neighboring countries, North Africa, and Europe.

Kharabsheh said several projects are underway, including a 200-megawatt solar photovoltaic project, a 100-megawatt wind energy project, and a 450-megawatt pumped-storage hydro-power project.

He underlined that energy transition is no longer optional but a strategic necessity to ensure energy security and economic stability, calling for building on existing achievements to sustain investment momentum in the sector.

He added that effective partnerships between the government and private sector investors and financiers have helped place Jordan among leading countries in renewable energy, supported by an enabling legislative environment and platforms for developing national expertise.

Kharabsheh also said efforts are ongoing to regulatory and legislative frameworks in line with rapid sector developments, supporting the integration of advanced technologies, particularly energy storage, green hydrogen, and grid flexibility.

He stressed the importance of maintaining the private sector’s role as a key partner in achieving energy transition goals.

For her part, UNDP Resident Representative in Jordan Randa Aboul-Hosn said the Sustainable Energy Investment Accelerator is being implemented amid exceptional regional circumstances, aiming to strengthen energy security, expand sustainable access to energy, and promote environmental sustainability.

Aboul-Hosn said the program aligns fully with Jordan’s Economic Modernization Vision by providing clear support and financing mechanisms, helping expand strategic cooperation with government institutions, particularly the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.

She expressed pride in the partnership between UNDP and Jordan, marking 50 years since the program’s establishment in the Kingdom, and affirmed continued cooperation to achieve all set objectives.

//Petra// NQ