Amman, July 6 (Petra) -- Jordan can gradually depend on its renewable energy resources to cut its oil bill to half in four years, an international expert said Wednesday.
Professor Ruba Jaradat from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) told Petra that Jordan can resort to its oil shale, natural gas and nuclear energy resources to slash its reliance on oil products to 51 per cent by 2015 and 40 per cent by 2020.
The Kingdom, she noted, can increase share of renewable energy in the Kingdom's energy bill to 7 per cent by 2015 and to 10 per cent in 2020.
The USAID has helped the government to identify the points of strength and weakness in the energy sector, she said, adding that the agency developed a three-axis plan, focusing on investment, training and research.
Jordan can save up to $1.5 million daily, which is the difference between prices of diesel and heavy fuel and natural gas, Jaradat noted, adding that the money can be used to invest in renewable energy.
The halt of Egyptian gas supplies to the Kingdom obliges the government to consider radical solutions, especially that renewable energy resources are available in Jordan.
© Jordan News Agency - Petra 2011
