In 2022, Jordan's electricity consumption was heavily reliant on fossil fuels, with more than three-quarters of the energy being generated from coal, gas, or oil. Specifically, gas was the predominant fossil fuel, accounting for almost 73% of the total electricity mix. Low-carbon sources contributed to around 23% of Jordan's electricity generation. Within the clean energy category, solar power was the major contributor, making up more than 15% of the total, followed by wind energy, which provided close to 8%. Unfortunately, the low-carbon share remains a minority compared to fossil fuels, highlighting an urgent need for transition toward cleaner sources to combat climate change and mitigate air pollution.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Jordan?
Despite the potential benefits of increased electricity consumption, Jordan has experienced a decline in per capita electricity usage. In 2022, the electricity consumption per person was 2011 kWh, a decrease from the record 2276 kWh in 2012. This decline of 265 kWh per person indicates a troubling stagnation in electricity growth, which could hinder economic and technological development. On a positive note, the low-carbon electricity generation per person increased to 464 kWh from the previous record of 444 kWh in 2021, showing a 20 kWh growth. Ensuring steady growth in overall electricity consumption, along with a concentrated effort to increase low-carbon sources, is critical for Jordan's sustainable future.
Suggestions
To enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, Jordan should focus on expanding its solar infrastructure, which already contributes significantly to the electricity mix. Additionally, Jordan can learn from countries with successful low-carbon energy transitions. North Macedonia stands out with almost half of its electricity coming from solar power, demonstrating the achievable potential of solar in regions with abundant sunlight. While Jordan does not currently utilize nuclear power, the experiences of countries like France and Slovakia, where nuclear makes up two-thirds of the electricity generation, suggest that nuclear energy could be a viable option for Jordan to consider alongside solar. Diversifying its clean energy portfolio would not only reduce reliance on fossil fuels but also support economic and environmental sustainability.
History
In terms of low-carbon electricity history, Jordan has seen notable advancements over recent years. While hydroelectric power remained stagnant for decades since the 1990s, the mid-2010s marked the beginning of a green energy shift, with wind and solar installations steadily increasing. From 2015 onward, wind power started to pick up momentum, contributing 0.1 TWh in 2015 and gradually climbing in subsequent years. Solar power witnessed even more substantial growth, especially from 2016 onward, with significant annual increases, highlighting the country's commitment to expanding its solar capacity. Most recently, in 2022, solar and wind continued their positive trends, albeit at a slightly slower pace, reinforcing Jordan's path toward a cleaner energy mix and providing a hopeful outlook for future developments in sustainable electricity generation.
