Jordan has strong sunshine and good wind resources, which makes it one of the most promising countries in the region for clean energy. Because of this, solar and wind power are currently the easiest and most attractive options to invest in. Solar power costs around $0.04 to $0.08 per kWh, while wind costs about $0.07 to $0.09 per kWh. These technologies are already well developed, reliable, and able to produce affordable electricity. They can also connect directly to the national grid and usually operate under long-term agreements, which gives investors stable and predictable income.
Compared to this, green hydrogen is still new and more expensive. Today, it costs around $4 to $7 per kilogram to produce, which makes it much more costly than using solar or wind electricity directly. Producing hydrogen is also more complicated. It needs large renewable energy projects, special equipment to split water, and systems to store and transport the hydrogen. On top of that, hydrogen projects depend on finding buyers, such as industrial companies or export markets, instead of simple electricity contracts. This makes them harder to finance and develop.
Even so, hydrogen has strong future potential for Jordan. The Aqaba area is being developed as a possible hub for hydrogen production and export. Plans include building large renewable energy plants, desalination facilities, storage systems, and export terminals. There are also studies for a pipeline to connect Aqaba with industrial areas. However, these projects will take time, large investments, and strong support, including access to climate finance to help reduce costs and risks.
At the same time, the ongoing regional conflict has made energy security more important than ever for Jordan. The country depends heavily on imported energy, especially natural gas, and recent tensions have shown how risky this can be. In response, the government is working to reduce this dependence by expanding solar PV and wind energy, improving the electricity grid, investing in energy storage, and strengthening gas import facilities in Aqaba. These steps aim to make the energy system more stable and secure.
In this situation, solar and wind clearly offer the fastest and most practical solutions. They are affordable, quick to build, and help Jordan rely more on its own resources. Hydrogen, on the other hand, is a longer-term opportunity. It can help Jordan enter future global clean energy markets, especially if supported by international demand and climate finance.
In simple terms, solar and wind are the best choice for Jordan right now, helping lower costs and improve energy security, especially during uncertain times. Green hydrogen is the next step for the future—more complex, but full of potential for growth and new opportunities.
