Jordan has been taking strides towards reducing its reliance on imported oil and gas and shifting towards renewable energy sources in recent years. One of the key renewable energy sources that Jordan has been focusing on is solar energy. The country has abundant solar resources, with an average of 300 days of sunshine per year, making it an ideal location for solar energy generation. In this article, we will discuss the outlook for solar energy in Jordan in 2023.
Jordan’s GDP outlook for 2025 is positive, with the country expected to continue its economic growth trajectory in the coming years. According to the World Bank, Jordan’s GDP is expected to grow at an average rate of 3.7% between 2020 and 2023, before accelerating to 4.3% in 2024 and 2025. This growth is expected to be driven by continued investment in infrastructure, including the development of new airports and seaports, as well as ongoing reforms to improve the business environment and attract foreign investment. However, there are also risks to this outlook, including the ongoing regional conflicts and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy.
The Current State of Solar Energy in Jordan
Currently, solar energy accounts for around 5% of Jordan’s electricity generation capacity. This is relatively low compared to other countries in the region, such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, which have made significant investments in solar energy. However, Jordan has been making progress in recent years and is expected to increase its solar energy capacity significantly in the coming years.
Jordan has implemented several policies to encourage the growth of solar energy in the country. In 2012, the government introduced a feed-in tariff system that offers a fixed rate for solar energy producers to sell their electricity to the grid. This has helped to attract investment in the solar sector and has led to the development of several large-scale solar projects.
In addition, Jordan has signed several agreements with international organizations and foreign governments to support the development of its solar energy sector. For example, in 2018, Jordan signed an agreement with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to support the development of a 200 MW solar project in the country.
Jordan Solar Energy Outlook 2023
Looking ahead, the outlook for solar energy in Jordan is positive. According to a report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Jordan is expected to increase its solar energy capacity to 2.7 GW by 2023, up from 1.7 GW in 2020. This represents a significant increase in solar energy capacity and is expected to help reduce Jordan’s reliance on imported fossil fuels.
One of the key drivers of this growth is the development of large-scale solar projects in the country. Jordan has several large-scale solar projects under construction or in the planning stages, including the 800 MW Al-Dhafra project, which is being developed by the Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) and the 400 MW Al-Risha project, which is being developed by Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power.
In addition to large-scale projects, there is also significant potential for small-scale solar installations in Jordan. According to the IRENA report, rooftop solar installations could account for up to 1.4 GW of solar energy capacity in Jordan by 2030. This presents an opportunity for households and businesses in the country to generate their own electricity and reduce their reliance on the grid.
Here are some of the 10 largest solar projects in Jordan, based on their capacity:
- Al-Dhafra Solar Project: 800 MW
- Al-Risha Solar Project: 400 MW
- Quweira Solar Power Plant: 200 MW
- Al Manakher Solar Park: 200 MW
- Ma’an Development Area Solar Park: 150 MW
- Tafila Wind Farm and Solar Plant: 117 MW
- Al Ward Al Kabir Solar PV Plant: 66 MW
- Azraq Solar PV Plant: 52 MW
- Mafraq I Solar PV Plant: 50 MW
- Mafraq II Solar PV Plant: 50 MW
It’s worth noting that some of these projects are still under construction or in the planning stages, and their capacity may change. Additionally, there may be other solar projects in Jordan that are not included in this list.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the outlook for solar energy in Jordan is positive. The country has made significant progress in recent years and is expected to increase its solar energy capacity significantly by 2023. This will help to reduce Jordan’s reliance on imported fossil fuels and contribute to the country’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint. With several large-scale projects under construction and the potential for small-scale installations, solar energy is set to play an increasingly important role in Jordan’s energy mix in the coming years.
