JERA OverView

Jordan has limited domestic fossil fuel sources and most of its energy needs are satisfied by imports. Jordan’s native energy resources are its modest gas reserves, oil shale deposits and tar sands, and its growing economy has been severely strained by the fact that it currently imports almost 95 percent of its energy needs.

 

Also the demand for energy increases with Jordan’s growing population, economic development and urbanization. Jordan’s energy needs are met almost entirely by imported oil and gas. Since 2008, rising world energy costs and shrinking government subsidies have placed a heavier burden on institutions, industries and household consumers. ​Harnessing renewable solar and wind energy promises to reduce Jordan’s vulnerability to external supply and price and shocks indefinitely. 

 

Jordan's economy has been facing many energy crises through many years now, especially this year, oil prices continue to rise and gas imports from Egypt continue to reduce, creating a situation that requires a return to subsidized fuel prices. The current energy problem in Jordan comes from two directions:

-       The first is high crude oil prices along with stopping the policy of liberalizing prices for basic petroleum products in Jordan, namely gasoline, diesel, kerosene and cooking gas.

-       The second is the frequent interruption and scarcity in the supply of Egyptian natural gas for generating 80% of electricity needs. This necessitated generating power with heavy fuel oil and diesel to meet demand, and these derivatives are very expensive.

It is time that we realize that Jordan tops in renewable energy, in Jordan the sun always shins, and the wind always blows, there are many good reasons to depend on renewable energy sources. If we capture the energy in sunshine and wind, we can use it to heat our homes and run our  cars, computers and TVs. Renewable energy is abundant in Jordan, when each new day dawns, it brings with it a fresh supply of renewable energy that will not stop.

 

That is why we believe that the country needs  to shift from its current status of an energy-dependent state to an energy-efficient one by embracing the renewable energy sector, and J-ERA Center is a great step towards that goal, as building the organizational, strategic and human capacities of the National Center for Research and Development (NCRD) will enable it to actively participate in European S&T partnerships and execute large-scale projects in the key area of renewable energy, with a view to creating a centre of excellence within Jordan and actively promoting further dissemination and replication in the region. The J-ERA Center project will help us achieve the energy goals we had long ago set out for ourselves.​​