Amman, May 6 (Petra) -- The National Electric Power Company (NEPCO) has signed an agreement with Excelerate Energy to lease a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) for deployment at the Sheikh Sabah LNG terminal in Aqaba, as the kingdom seeks to strengthen energy security and ensure uninterrupted natural gas supplies.

The agreement comes as Jordan prepares for the expiration of the current floating regasification vessel, "Energos Force," at the end of June, according to a statement issued by NEPCO on Wednesday.

The company said the deal is part of broader efforts to maintain the operational readiness of Jordan’s LNG infrastructure, enabling the country to continue importing liquefied natural gas from global markets, regasifying it and feeding supplies into the national gas network.

NEPCO Director General Dr. Sufian Al-Batayneh said the agreement is intended to enhance the flexibility and resilience of Jordan’s natural gas system, allowing it to respond to varying operational and regional energy supply scenarios.

He said the leased vessel will support the continued supply of natural gas to domestic power generation plants while also facilitating regional energy cooperation initiatives under existing official agreements.

Al-Batayneh described the arrangement as a transitional step designed to ensure uninterrupted operations at Aqaba’s LNG facilities until the completion of Jordan’s planned onshore regasification unit project, which aims to upgrade the efficiency and reliability of the country’s gas import infrastructure.

He added that the agreement comes at a time when Jordan’s gas infrastructure is playing an expanding regional role.

Jordan has already started supplying natural gas to Syria through the Arab Gas Pipeline after importing and regasifying LNG at its Aqaba facilities, with supplies having commenced earlier this year, according to Al-Batayneh.

He said NEPCO, in coordination with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, is also working to finalize similar arrangements with Lebanon once the necessary technical, contractual and regulatory requirements are completed.

Al-Batayneh stressed that ensuring the stability of Jordan’s domestic electricity system and safeguarding local energy supplies will remain the country’s primary priority.

Excelerate Energy specializes in liquefied natural gas infrastructure and operates floating storage and regasification vessels worldwide.

//Petra// RZ

06/05/2026 11:09:29