The Jordan Hotels Association (JHA), represented by its Vice Chairman, Eng. Osama Madanat, and the Jordan Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Fund (JREEEF) at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, represented by its Chairman of the Board, H.E. Dr. Saleh Al-Kharabsheh, signed today, Thursday, a joint cooperation agreement aimed at implementing a comprehensive program for energy efficiency and conservation in the hotel sector. The initiative seeks to enhance the competitiveness of hotels and the tourism industry by reducing operating costs, particularly energy expenses.

The program includes conducting energy audit studies for hotel establishments and implementing their outcomes to improve energy consumption efficiency and reduce operational costs.

During the signing ceremony, H.E. Dr. Al-Kharabsheh affirmed that the Fund continues to implement future projects in the fields of renewable energy and energy efficiency across various vital sectors, including the tourism sector, in line with the Kingdom’s goals in energy and sustainable development.

He pointed out that studies conducted by the Fund indicate that Jordan’s energy intensity index exceeds the global average by 20–25%, emphasizing that energy conservation and efficiency measures should precede the installation of renewable energy systems, given their low cost and short payback period, which does not exceed four years.

For his part, Eng. Osama Madanat, Vice Chairman of the Board of the Jordan Hotels Association, expressed the Association’s pride in this strategic partnership with the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Fund. He noted that this program will significantly contribute to reducing energy costs for hotels, especially in light of the economic challenges faced by the tourism sector due to regional circumstances. He stressed that the Association will work closely with the Fund to reach hotels across all governorates and promote this distinguished program for its direct impact on energy conservation and the enhancement of hotel service quality in the Kingdom.

Meanwhile, Dr. Rasmey Hamzeh, Executive Director of the Fund, stated that this agreement embodies the Fund’s vision to expand its programs to include the tourism sector, being one of the key pillars of the national economy. He explained that the Fund will cover 100% of the costs of the energy audit studies, in addition to supporting interest payments and guaranteeing loans to implement the recommendations and outcomes of these studies. He added that previous phases implemented in Petra and Aqaba have proven successful, achieving energy cost savings of 40–60%, which has strengthened the competitiveness of hotels in those regions.

The signing ceremony was attended, on behalf of the Jordan Hotels Association, by Dr. Moataz Al-Soud, Secretary of the Board, and Board Members Mr. Hussein Hilalat and Mr. Amjad Al-Bakri. From the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Eng. Amani Al-Azzam, Secretary General, and the Fund’s working team were also present.