Amman: Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Saleh Kharabsheh has signed a memorandum of understanding with Yin Mingshan, Chairman of China's Getting International Energy Holdings Co. Ltd., to initiate technical studies for a green hydrogen and derivatives project in Jordan. This project aims to utilize renewable energy and desalinated water in Aqaba.
According to Jordan News Agency, the memorandum is a direct result of His Majesty King Abdullah II's recent visit to China. It signifies efforts to enhance economic and investment collaboration between Jordan and China, with a particular focus on green hydrogen. During the royal visit, a comprehensive strategic memorandum of understanding was signed with China's National Energy Administration, and discussions were held with several Chinese companies regarding cooperation in green hydrogen projects.
Minister Kharabsheh highlighted that Jordan is actively engaging with various Chinese companies within the framework of its National Green Fuels Strategy. The studies agreed upon in the memorandum will evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of the project before any development or implementation decisions are made. The minister also emphasized that access to new markets could potentially enhance the commercial viability of green hydrogen and its derivatives, with Jordan aiming to progress from preliminary studies towards actual project implementation where feasible.
The memorandum outlines plans to explore the possibility of situating the project near the Port of Aqaba, with a comprehensive evaluation of its integrated value chain. This includes renewable energy generation, water desalination, green hydrogen and ammonia production, energy storage, electricity transmission, logistics, and port services. Additionally, the studies will consider the project's technical, environmental, and social impacts, estimate hydrogen production costs, and determine land requirements. The Chinese company is tasked with preparing a pre-feasibility-level technical study to further assess these aspects.