In 2022, Jordan relied on fossil fuels for more than three-quarters of its electricity consumption, with gas alone accounting for about 73%. Low-carbon sources supplied almost a quarter of electricity: solar contributed roughly 15%, wind nearly 8%, and other clean sources close to none. Solar is already Jordan’s leading low-carbon electricity source, but there is substantial room to expand clean generation and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, which contribute to climate change and air pollution.

Is Electricity Growing in Jordan?

Jordan’s electricity picture shows progress in clean generation, but total consumption per person remains below its historical peak. In 2022, electricity consumption was about 2,010 kWh per person—265 kWh, or roughly 12%, below the record of 2,276 kWh reached in 2012. This comparison does not establish whether consumption grew or declined in the latest year, but the gap from the peak is concerning as electrification and AI increase future electricity needs. Encouragingly, low-carbon generation reached a new record of 464 kWh per person, about 20 kWh above the previous record set in 2021—a gain of roughly 5%.

Suggestions

Jordan should build on its existing solar success while expanding wind and considering nuclear electricity to support a larger, cleaner supply. Nearby Lebanon, where solar generates about 31% of electricity, offers a relevant regional comparison, while the sunny US states of Nevada and California demonstrate solar shares of roughly 35% and 31%. For wind, Jordan can learn from Morocco, where it supplies about 20% of electricity. The United Arab Emirates provides a particularly relevant regional nuclear example, generating about 20% of its electricity from nuclear power, while France demonstrates how nuclear can supply around two-thirds. These examples offer useful lessons for developing a diversified low-carbon electricity system.

History

Jordan’s recorded low-carbon electricity history shows little change in hydro generation in the listed years of 1990, 2000, 2003 and 2004, followed by sustained solar and wind expansion from the mid-2010s. Wind generation increased by 0.1 TWh in 2015; from 2016 through 2019, solar added between 0.4 and 0.6 TWh annually, while wind added between 0.1 and 0.3 TWh annually. Both sources gained 0.5 TWh in 2020, and solar achieved its largest listed annual increase—0.8 TWh—in 2021, alongside another 0.2 TWh from wind. Growth continued in 2022, but slowed to 0.2 TWh for solar and 0.1 TWh for wind. This sustained clean-electricity expansion is worth celebrating, although the slower recent gains underline the importance of accelerating investment.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade