In 2022, Jordan relied on fossil fuels for just over three-quarters of its electricity consumption, with gas alone supplying almost 73%. Low-carbon sources accounted for about 23%, led by solar at roughly 15% and wind at nearly 8%. Clean electricity therefore already made a meaningful contribution, but fossil fuels still dominated, contributing to climate change and air pollution.

Is Electricity Growing in Jordan?

Jordan’s electricity consumption per person remained below its historical peak: it reached about 2,010 kWh in 2022, roughly 265 kWh—or 12%—below the 2012 record. These figures do not establish whether total electricity consumption grew, but they show that consumption per person had not recovered its previous high. Encouragingly, low-carbon electricity generation reached a new record of 464 kWh per person, up 20 kWh from 2021. Sustained growth in clean electricity would help Jordan support electrification and future demand.

Suggestions

Jordan should build on its established solar sector by expanding solar electricity generation, alongside further wind development and consideration of nuclear power. Nearby Lebanon, where solar supplies about 31% of electricity, offers a relevant regional comparison, while the sunny US state of Nevada generates about 35% from solar. Morocco’s roughly 20% wind share also illustrates opportunities worth examining. For nuclear electricity, the United Arab Emirates provides a particularly relevant regional example, generating about 20% of its electricity from nuclear, while France demonstrates how nuclear can supply around two-thirds. Jordan can study these places’ approaches to planning, investment and grid development to accelerate its own clean electricity growth.

History

Jordan’s recorded low-carbon electricity history shows little change in hydro generation in the listed years from 1990 through the early 2000s, and again in 2018. Growth accelerated in the mid-2010s: wind generation increased by 0.1 TWh in 2015, followed by gains in both solar and wind from 2016 onward. Across 2016–2019, annual solar increases ranged from 0.4 to 0.6 TWh, while wind added between 0.1 and 0.3 TWh each year. Momentum continued in 2020, with both sources adding 0.5 TWh, followed by solar’s largest listed increase of 0.8 TWh in 2021. In 2022, solar and wind still grew, but their additions slowed to 0.2 and 0.1 TWh respectively—a positive advance, though a stronger pace would better support Jordan’s clean electricity ambitions.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade