In Jordan's electricity landscape for 2022, fossil fuels dominate the scene, making up about three-quarters of the energy generated. Gas alone accounts for nearly three-quarters of this. On the brighter side, low-carbon or clean sources contribute almost a quarter to the mix, showing a focus on sustainable development. Among the clean sources, solar energy stands out as significant, providing more than 15% of electricity—an impressive step forward for sunny Jordan. Wind energy contributes almost 8%, further bolstering the low-carbon portfolio. While the transition towards cleaner energy is evident, there's a substantial dependency on fossil fuels that Jordan must actively work to reduce.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Jordan?
Despite Jordan's current endeavors in clean energy, the overall electricity consumption per person has seen better days. As of 2022, electricity consumption stands at 2011 kWh per person, which is a decline from its peak of 2276 kWh per person back in 2012—a difference of 265 kWh per person. On a more optimistic note, low-carbon electricity generation witnessed a small but important increase, reaching 464 kWh per person, a rise of 20 kWh compared to 2021. This growth in low-carbon energy is a positive sign, but the overall decline in consumption per person is worrisome, indicating a need for strategic enhancements in both electricity availability and utilization.
Suggestions
To drive a greater shift towards low-carbon energy, Jordan should continue expanding solar power, capitalizing on its sunny climate. Learning from regions with successful solar and nuclear initiatives could also be beneficial. For instance, Lebanon and California, each generating over 30% of their electricity from solar, serve as valuable examples for solar strategies that Jordan might adopt. Additionally, Jordan could explore the potential of nuclear energy, taking inspiration from countries like Slovakia and France, where nuclear power constitutes a significant portion of the electricity mix. By adopting these strategies, Jordan can effectively boost its low-carbon electricity production and reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.
History
Looking at the historical trajectory of low-carbon electricity in Jordan, significant development began in 2015 with the introduction of wind energy. The following years saw consistent growth primarily in solar and wind energy: from 2016 onward, solar and wind have incrementally increased their contributions. For instance, 2016 marked a boost with 0.4 TWh from solar and 0.3 TWh from wind. This trend continued, with solar energy witnessing a consistent yearly increase, peaking in 2021 with an additional 0.8 TWh. The incremental growth in wind and solar demonstrates Jordan's commitment to advancing in the low-carbon domain. Although hydroelectric power hasn't seen growth in recent decades, the significant strides in solar and wind reflect Jordan's promising green energy future. Improving on these foundations further could place Jordan among leading nations in clean energy.
