Sustainable Energy Transition in Jordan: Policies, Progress, and Promising Trends

As global concerns regarding climate change escalate, the imperative to transition towards sustainable and renewable energy sources becomes crucial for ensuring the well-being of our planet. This paper examines Jordan's pursuit of a sustainable energy landscape amid challenges such as population growth, economic uncertainties, and geopolitical intricacies. Jordan faces challenges like a widening energy supply and demand gap and reliance on fossil fuels. The paper explores how Jordan, with its abundant renewable resources, can utilize it to enhance political and economic stability. Jordan, stands as a notable example in the Middle East, ranking high in the Arab Future Energy Index Report (AFEX) for sustainable energy practices. This study identifies key barriers to Jordan's energy independence, including insufficient electrical grid infrastructure growth, historical unfair contracts, and reliance on international funds. Jordan's achievements in renewable energy are acknowledged, with the government's initiatives and international collaborations propelling the sector forward. Despite challenges, Jordan's commitment to increasing renewable energy targets and exploring green hydrogen strategies positions it as a key player in the global transition towards sustainable energy. The overview concludes by emphasizing the importance of addressing challenges, implementing technical recommendations, and contributing to economic development and environmental sustainability in the region. Keywords. sustainable energy transition, regional economic development, renewable energy, MENA region, Jordan, AFEX