8 LEVANT: WHERE POLITICS DEFEAT ALTERNATIVE …
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three private distribution companies (DISCOs), and the state-owned
shareholding transmission company, which purchases all the produced
electricity from the GENCOs and resells it to the various DISCOs.
As a result of the early reforms, MEMR launched the first IPP in 1997
for a 450 MW gas-fired combined cycle plant. The IPP model proliferated
since then in conventional generation, prior to the market penetration of
renewable energy.
Renewable energy became a central energy policy in 2007 as the
kingdom decided to reduce dependence on fuel imports and adopt a
target of 7% renewable energy by 2015 and 10% by 2020. The 2015
target was missed despite serious efforts, but renewable energy deployment speeded up right after, driving the government by the end of 2018
to modify the 2020 target from 10 to 20% of primary energy, a target
which will also be missed, especially that the kingdom halted all new
large-scale renewable energy systems since early 2019 stating the need
to upgrade the grid.
With an already significant reserve capacity margin, a fierce commitment to renewable energy would enable Jordan to become an exporter
of electricity in the region, with existing potential of exports to Iraq,
Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine, if the infrastructure and politics permit.
Jordan and Iraq are in talks to build the necessary infrastructure for that.
Former negotiations with Lebanon weren’t successful as the grid connection between the two countries passes through Syria, which wasn’t in
favor of permitting wheeling through its transmission lines.
For Palestine, solar energy offers a tremendous opportunity to address
the imbalance of power between the two states and reduce Palestine’s
electricity dependence on Israel in some areas. Since the Israeli authorities
hold monopoly of the sector at elevated costs, the Palestinian government
is a supporter of solar energy. Yet, the challenges are many and the energy
vulnerability is so extreme, that tremendous efforts need to be in place,
and the aspiration for autonomy is a long-term one.
Governments’ Drive Supported by Donors
The commitment by governments in the Levant to push renewable energy
forward was a vital factor in kick-starting and building momentum for
renewable energy. This commitment was demonstrated by the adoption of
relevant policies and regulations and clean energy targets, although interviews with stakeholders reveal that the governments’ drive has faded over
221
three private distribution companies (DISCOs), and the state-owned
shareholding transmission company, which purchases all the produced
electricity from the GENCOs and resells it to the various DISCOs.
As a result of the early reforms, MEMR launched the first IPP in 1997
for a 450 MW gas-fired combined cycle plant. The IPP model proliferated
since then in conventional generation, prior to the market penetration of
renewable energy.
Renewable energy became a central energy policy in 2007 as the
kingdom decided to reduce dependence on fuel imports and adopt a
target of 7% renewable energy by 2015 and 10% by 2020. The 2015
target was missed despite serious efforts, but renewable energy deployment speeded up right after, driving the government by the end of 2018
to modify the 2020 target from 10 to 20% of primary energy, a target
which will also be missed, especially that the kingdom halted all new
large-scale renewable energy systems since early 2019 stating the need
to upgrade the grid.
With an already significant reserve capacity margin, a fierce commitment to renewable energy would enable Jordan to become an exporter
of electricity in the region, with existing potential of exports to Iraq,
Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine, if the infrastructure and politics permit.
Jordan and Iraq are in talks to build the necessary infrastructure for that.
Former negotiations with Lebanon weren’t successful as the grid connection between the two countries passes through Syria, which wasn’t in
favor of permitting wheeling through its transmission lines.
For Palestine, solar energy offers a tremendous opportunity to address
the imbalance of power between the two states and reduce Palestine’s
electricity dependence on Israel in some areas. Since the Israeli authorities
hold monopoly of the sector at elevated costs, the Palestinian government
is a supporter of solar energy. Yet, the challenges are many and the energy
vulnerability is so extreme, that tremendous efforts need to be in place,
and the aspiration for autonomy is a long-term one.
Governments’ Drive Supported by Donors
The commitment by governments in the Levant to push renewable energy
forward was a vital factor in kick-starting and building momentum for
renewable energy. This commitment was demonstrated by the adoption of
relevant policies and regulations and clean energy targets, although interviews with stakeholders reveal that the governments’ drive has faded over