Diversification of energy sources

Diversification of energy sources is an agreed strategic objective whose achievement does not necessarily need nuclear reactors, to be built at a capital cost of around $10 billion and with a running and production cost that is not less than the estimated cost of producing electricity from renewable sources.

To this already high cost should be added the expected return of the investor.

One can say with a degree of confidence that the diversification of energy resources in Jordan is already under way. Much has been done and will start to give results within few years.

First, we have the plans to produce up to one-third of the country’s electricity needs from renewable sources: sun and wind.

Second, we have the large-scale project to produce another one-third of Jordan’s need of electricity from oil shale.

Third, an LNG terminal is being built in Aqaba, which will enable Jordan to import gas from anywhere in the world at good prices.

Fourth, there is the availability of the Mediterranean Sea gas, described as Israeli.

There is no need, therefore, to go build two nuclear reactors, especially when everything will be imported, including technology, equipment, operation, management, maintenance and getting rid of the nuclear waste.

As a matter of fact, Jordan will only contribute the site, which is not suitable, and the water for cooling, which is not available as long as Aqaba is ruled out by neighbours’ objections.

Chairman of Jordan Atomic Energy Commission Khaled Toukan claimed that the planned reactors will solve the problem of energy in Jordan.

This is not true. Energy is not only electricity!

Energy includes petroleum products and fuel needed by industry, agriculture, transport, tourism and domestic purposes, to which the reactors have nothing to contribute.

Talking about energy sources, one cannot ignore the loud voices objecting the importation of what they call Israeli gas.

One wonders if those opposing the deal know that Jordan signed a peace treaty with Israel that implies full diplomatic relations and economic normalisation.

It is one of the laws of the land.

They should be reminded that trade between Jordan and Israel is not less than $200 million a year, in both directions.

How can some activists think they have the right to call on the government to boycott Israel economically when the subject deal is badly needed by the Jordanian economy, in that it saves Jordan an annual extra cost of $1 billion and helps the country get rid of the peril of building costly and dangerous nuclear reactors, planned to be cooled by sewage water, at a time when the civilised world is abandoning nuclear reactors as a dirty source of energy.

Citizens have the full right to boycott all Israeli products, but they cannot expect the government, the Arab Potash Co., the National Electricity Power Co. and the Jordanian industry in general to commit economic suicide simply to make a point that does not have any practical consequences on Israel.

Seventy per cent of the Israeli gas has already been sold. Jordan is now competing to grab a share of the remainder before it is too late.