Amman: Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Saleh Kharabsheh, announced that Jordan has seen a remarkable increase in its renewable energy share over the past five years, elevating it to approximately 27 percent of the electricity mix by the end of 2024, up from a mere 0.5 percent in 2014.
According to Jordan News Agency, Kharabsheh shared these insights during a regional meeting titled "Toward a Just Energy Future," which was organized by Greenpeace MENA, the MENA Resource Justice Network, and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung's Regional Center for Energy and Climate Justice. The event aimed to synchronize efforts for an equitable energy transition that incorporates climate and social justice into regional policies.
Kharabsheh highlighted that Jordan has successfully drawn investments exceeding JOD 2.15 billion in renewable energy, leveraging its abundant solar and wind resources. He emphasized the necessity for international collaboration to tackle climate change and extreme weather issues.
He further mentioned that the Ministry is revising the 2025-2035 energy strategy to increase the contribution of renewable energy and improve grid stability.
Pierre Saade, Regional Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa at the Resource Justice Network, expressed that the new regional roadmap provides a strategic policy framework for promoting a just, inclusive, and transparent energy transition in the Middle East and North Africa. It identifies key priorities for governments to diversify economies and safeguard communities.
Saade stressed the importance of uniting efforts to fortify the role of local community institutions as vital partners in shaping national, regional, and global policies for a sustainable future.
Greenpeace MENA Executive Director, Ghiwa Nakat, argued that achieving a just transition necessitates reassessing energy's significance in building a fair and sustainable regional outlook.
Participants stressed the critical role of regional cooperation in ensuring a transition that adequately represents the needs of local communities.
The introduction of the Regional Roadmap for a Just Energy Transition and the "Polluter Pays" Pact marks a significant step in defining the region's energy landscape, linking climate action with social and economic justice, and presenting opportunities for job creation and universal access to affordable energy.