AMMAN — As the world marks the International Day of Clean Energy on January 26, attention turns to the urgent need to accelerate a just and inclusive transition towards sustainable energy systems that benefit both people and the planet.

 

For Jordan, the occasion offers an opportunity to reflect on more than a decade of steady progress in clean energy development and to underline the Kingdom’s growing role as a regional model for renewable energy adoption and innovation.

 

Established by the United Nations, the International Day of Clean Energy aims to raise awareness of the importance of affordable, reliable and sustainable energy in tackling climate change, supporting economic growth and ensuring social equity.

 

These goals closely align with Jordan’s national priorities, as the Kingdom continues to reduce its reliance on imported energy while expanding investment in renewable and low-carbon solutions.

 

Jordan’s energy sector has undergone a profound transformation driven by strategic planning, regulatory reform and sustained investment. According to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, total investments in the sector between 1999 and 2023 reached around $10 billion, including approximately $2.15 billion directed towards renewable energy projects.

 

As a result, renewable sources accounted for nearly 27 per cent of Jordan’s electricity mix by the end of 2024, compared with less than 0.5 per cent in 2014.

 

The ministry added that solar and wind power have been at the heart of this shift. By the end of last year, the installed capacity of renewable energy projects connected to the national grid reached 2,840 megawatts, including 2,194MW from solar power and 622MW from wind energy.

 

These developments have significantly strengthened Jordan’s energy security and reduced exposure to volatile global fuel prices and regional geopolitical disruptions.

 

A major milestone in this journey was the entry into force of the Public Electricity Law of 2025, which marked a significant step in modernising and reforming the electricity sector.

 

The legislation provides a comprehensive framework to improve efficiency, enhance service quality, promote transparency and governance, and support the transition towards a more sustainable energy future.

 

Crucially, the law encourages the expansion of domestic renewable energy production, particularly solar and wind, while introducing, for the first time, regulations for electricity storage facilities.

 

This allows individuals and companies to own and operate storage units for self-consumption or grid support, improving grid stability and optimising the use of renewable resources. The legislation also enables businesses and households to generate their own electricity and sell surplus power to the national grid, reinforcing decentralised and community-based energy solutions.

 

Energy Minister Saleh Kharabsheh has stressed that linking renewable generation with storage technologies will play a vital role in creating a more resilient and cost-effective electricity system. Falling storage costs, coupled with new incentives, are expected to accelerate adoption across residential, commercial and industrial sectors, further embedding clean energy into Jordan’s economic fabric.

 

Beyond domestic power generation, Jordan is positioning itself as a regional hub for emerging clean energy industries, most notably green hydrogen. Recognising its strategic potential, the Kingdom has developed a national strategy and legal framework to attract investment in this sector.

 

This momentum was reinforced recently with the signing of a memorandum of understanding with China’s UEG Green Hydrogen Development Holding Limited to conduct a feasibility study for a $1.155 billion green hydrogen project.

 

The proposed initiative would produce up to 200,000 tonnes of green ammonia annually for export, using renewable energy and desalinated seawater. The project forms part of a broader national framework approved by the Cabinet to accelerate green hydrogen development and position Jordan as a regional centre for sustainable fuel production.

 

Clean energy progress is also increasingly reflected in Jordan’s industrial landscape. The Jordan Chamber of Industry has highlighted significant advances by national manufacturers in solar energy systems, energy storage technologies and environmental efficiency.

 

Locally designed smart solar systems, high-efficiency cooling solutions and domestically assembled storage batteries are helping industries reduce costs, increase reliance on renewables and enhance competitiveness at both regional and international levels.

 

These developments align closely with the Economic Modernisation Vision 2033, which places innovation, sustainability and green growth at the centre of Jordan’s future development model. Under the Vision, flagship initiatives are advancing grid modernisation, smart metering, regional electricity interconnections and regulatory reforms to attract investment and lower costs.

 

As Jordan marks the International Day of Clean Energy, its experience underscores how sustained policy commitment, regulatory clarity and investment in renewable resources can deliver tangible economic and environmental benefits.

 

While challenges remain, particularly in the face of climate change and rising demand, the Kingdom’s clean energy trajectory demonstrates a clear and credible path towards a more secure, inclusive and sustainable energy future.