In 2022, the state of electricity consumption in Jordan prominently relied on fossil energy, which accounted for nearly three-quarters of the nation's electricity generation. A major portion of this was dominated by natural gas, contributing more than 70% to the total electricity consumption. In contrast, low-carbon or clean energy sources formed slightly over a fifth of Jordan's electricity mix. Solar energy made the largest contribution within this category, providing approximately 15% of the electricity, while wind energy contributed nearly 8%. These figures highlight a significant opportunity for Jordan to increase its low-carbon energy generation to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, thereby decreasing associated emissions and environmental impacts.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Jordan?
Examining electricity consumption trends, it's apparent that Jordan is experiencing a decline in overall electricity consumption per person. The most recent statistics for 2022 show electricity use at about 2,000 kWh per person, which is below the historic high of around 2,300 kWh per person in 2012, marking a decrease of approximately 11%. However, there is a positive development in the realm of low-carbon electricity generation, which has shown an increase. The latest figures show that low-carbon electricity generation is about 460 kWh per person, surpassing the previous peak of 440 kWh per person in 2021. Although overall electricity consumption has decreased, the growth in low-carbon energy generation is a promising step towards a more sustainable energy future.
Suggestions
To enhance low-carbon electricity generation, Jordan could benefit from expanding its already sizeable solar infrastructure, as solar ticks a large part of its clean energy balance. Learning from other regions that have effectively increased their low-carbon electricity mix could provide valuable insights. For example, countries like Lebanon and the US state Nevada, which generate between 30-31% of their electricity from solar energy, could serve as models for solar expansion. Additionally, looking at nations like France and Slovakia, which produce over 60% of their electricity from nuclear energy, Jordan could consider incorporating nuclear into its clean energy strategy. Regions like Denmark, which achieve nearly half of their energy from wind, could also provide lessons in wind energy integration. Together, solar and potentially nuclear power offer robust avenues for Jordan to expand its low-carbon electricity generation, helping to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels and contribute to the global battle against climate change.
History
Historically, Jordan's journey into low-carbon electricity generation began modestly in the early 2000s, with hydro energy making no significant impact. A breakthrough came in the mid-2010s, marking the diversification of clean energy technologies, with wind and solar energy joining the electricity mix. From 2015 onward, Jordan witnessed notable development in these sectors. In 2016, both solar and wind energy projects were initiated, giving rise to continuous growth in the ensuing years. Solar energy saw consistent, meaningful advancements each year, with especially substantial increments in 2019 and 2020, while wind energy gained a notable boost in 2020. The recent years have indicated that while growth continues, it has slowed, suggesting a period ripe for renewed focus and acceleration of low-carbon electricity development. With a history of measured progress, the path forward is clear for Jordan in solidifying its commitment to green energy and future-proofing its electricity landscape.
