Electricity in Jordan in 2022
In 2022, electricity generation in Jordan predominantly relied on fossil sources, accounting for more than three-quarters of the electricity supply, with natural gas alone contributing to nearly three-quarters of the total generation. On the cleaner side, low-carbon energy sources supplied just over a fifth of Jordan's electricity. Within this, solar energy played the most significant role, delivering more than 15% of the total electricity, followed by wind, which generated close to 8%. This data highlights Jordan's ongoing dependency on fossil fuels for electricity, but also indicates a growing contribution from clean energy sources like solar and wind.
Suggestions
To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Jordan can focus on expanding its existing solar capacity given its substantial contribution to the current electricity mix. Countries such as Lebanon, which generates almost a third of its electricity from solar, illustrate that significant solar input is feasible for countries with similar climatic conditions. Additionally, looking at successful examples in wind energy, countries like Denmark, where wind accounts for more than half of the electricity, showcase the potential of maximizing wind power usage. Furthermore, Jordan could explore initiating nuclear energy projects by learning from the United Arab Emirates, which has achieved significant progress, with nuclear making up 20% of its electricity generation. These steps could significantly reduce Jordan’s reliance on fossil fuels, helping it transition toward a greener electricity future.
History
The growth of low-carbon electricity in Jordan has primarily occurred over the last decade. From 2015 onwards, Jordan saw a steady increase in wind and solar electricity generation. Notably, during 2015 and 2016, Jordan added new wind and solar capacities, with both technologies contributing an additional 0.8 TWh during this period. This trend continued with significant additions in 2019 when solar energy alone contributed an additional 0.6 TWh, complemented by further increases in 2020 and 2021 as solar and wind continued to expand. This growth trajectory underscores Jordan’s ongoing transition towards cleaner energy sources, despite little development in hydroelectricity since the early 2000s. The past several years reflect a decisive shift, signaling a promising foundation for further advancements in Jordan’s low-carbon electricity landscape.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.