Jordan’s cabinet has approved a plan to supply natural gas to Lebanon through Syria, Prime Minister Jafar Hassan announced Sunday. The decision marks a significant step in regional energy cooperation aimed at supporting Lebanon’s electricity generation amid ongoing power shortages.

Under the approved arrangement, Jordan will import liquefied natural gas (LNG) and regasify it at existing facilities in the port city of Aqaba. The gas will then be transported overland through Syria to Lebanon, strengthening Lebanon’s energy supply infrastructure.

This plan follows a trilateral agreement signed in May between Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon, designed to facilitate natural gas deliveries and regional energy collaboration. Jordan has already been providing energy supplies to Syria through this route since early 2023, utilizing the Arab Gas Pipeline network.

Syrian Energy Minister Mohammad Bashir stated that Syria aims to nearly double its natural gas production from around 7 million cubic meters per day currently to 15 million cubic meters by the end of 2026, which would support the enhanced transit capacity for Lebanon’s imports.

Lebanon’s electricity sector has faced persistent challenges, characterized by power shortages and fuel supply issues. The country has seven power plants, but only the Deir Ammar and Zahrani plants are operational at present. Both facilities are capable of running on either fuel oil or natural gas, with a combined capacity of approximately 900 megawatts. However, due to rising fuel costs, their effective output has recently dropped to around 500 megawatts.

The agreement between the three countries aims to bolster Lebanon’s power generation capacity by providing a more reliable and potentially cost-effective natural gas supply. This initiative comes at a crucial time as Lebanon seeks to stabilize its electricity grid and reduce dependence on expensive imported fuels.