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Until Egypt's January 2011 uprising, it provided 80 percent of Jordan's needs for powering electricity plants. The supply was interrupted at least 20 times
-- sometimes for several weeks -- over the past 16 months, often due to armed attacks on the gas pipeline in Egypt's Sinai desert. The pipeline network also supplies Israel. Since this year began, the supply dropped to a mere 16 percent of the agreed amount, and the flow was cut off entirely last month, Jordanian energy ministry records show. The official close to the negotiations said Amman "doubted" Egyptian officials "have the political will" to resume the gas exports. "The sabotage stopped, but the gas never returned," he said, insisting on anonymity, citing possible sensitivities with Egypt over his bold remarks. With each disruption, Jordan has been forced to resort to costlier heavy fuel oil, which has pushed the state-owned national electricity company close to bankruptcy with a deficit reaching a record high $3.5 billion. The government continued to partially subsidize electricity at a cost of $7 million a day, forcing the state deficit
-- already burdened by a multibillion dollar foreign debt -- to yet another record high. Authorities have given several warnings of imminent blackouts. Egyptian officials did not comment on suggestions the Islamist-led government was purposely reducing Jordan's gas supply for political reasons. An official in Egypt's Ministry of Petroleum confirmed, however, that Batayneh and his Egyptian counterpart, Osama Kamal, agreed that Egypt would gradually re-pump gas to Jordan this month and resume full supplies starting next month. The official blamed the inconsistent supply on maintenance, adding that Egypt suspended its gas export contracts amid soaring levels of domestic consumption. The priority will go to domestic Egyptian needs, particularly in the northern Sinai, he said, insisting on anonymity because he is not allowed to brief reporters.
[Associated
Press;
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