The Jordanian cabinet has approved a plan to supply Lebanon with imported natural gas through an existing regional pipeline, moving to alleviate Lebanon’s severe energy crisis.  Under the new arrangement, approved on Sunday, September 6, Jordan will import liquefied natural gas (LNG) and regasify the fuel using existing infrastructure at the Aqaba Port on the Red Sea.  The gas will then be transported north through Syria to Lebanon via the Arab Gas Pipeline, according to Jordanian Prime Minister Jafar Hassan.  The framework builds on a cooperation agreement signed in May during a trilateral meeting in Amman between Jordanian, Syrian, and Lebanese officials.  Jordan has already been delivering energy to Syria through the Arab Gas Pipeline under a similar mechanism since early 2026, with the pipeline route relying on Syrian infrastructure to reach Lebanese power stations.  Syrian Energy Minister Mohammad Bashir noted that Syria anticipates its own domestic natural gas production will rise to 15 million cubic meters per day by the end of 2026, up from approximately 7 million cubic meters.  With the proposed plan, the cross-border gas transfer is expected toboost electricity generation in Lebanon, where rolling blackouts have routinely crippled state institutions and public utilities.  In 2024,a nationwide blackout triggered severe water rationing after Beirut defaulted on fossil fuel payments to Iraq.  While Lebanon possesses seven power plants, only two facilities—Deir Ammar and Zahrani—are operational. Both plants are capable of burning fuel oil and natural gas.  Though they hold a combined capacity of 900 megawatts, high fuel prices have restricted output to around 500 megawatts.  Lebanese Energy and Water Minister Joseph Saddi welcomed the arrangement, describing the trilateral cooperation as crucial to creating a sustainable energy infrastructure.  Saddi also met recently with Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar to explore broader regional partnerships.  Following the meeting, Bayraktar confirmed Turkey’s readiness to assist Lebanon withexpertise and joint energy initiatives, offering additional relief avenues as the Arab Gas Pipeline project gets underway. (ICE BEIRUT)

Fonte notizia: Pipeline Technology Journal