8 LEVANT: WHERE POLITICS DEFEAT ALTERNATIVE …
225
wind farm was implemented in 1996 in Hofa, with the support of the
German Government. In 2019, Jordan has implemented the world’s first
solar-powered large accelerator complex through EU funds. In Palestine, UNDP through a grant from the Japanese government implemented
solar systems powering healthcare laboratories. European funds have also
supported the implementation of financing mechanisms across the three
countries. Foreign donors have also played a major role in building the
local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) involvement in the sector
and awareness raising.
Gulf institutes and funds have been involved in utility-scale renewable
energy projects in Jordan such as the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic
Development involvement in the Ma’an wind farm, and in building host
community resilience in Lebanon following the Syrian refugees influx,
such as the Saudi Fund for Development support for small-scale solar
photovoltaic systems in the North of Lebanon. But politics play a role in
the size and scale of their involvements in countries in the region.
These policies, action plans along with donors’ support and the private
sector engagement and the rise of renewable energy lobby groups,
resulted in several utility-scale solar and wind farms in Jordan and the
spread of distributed solar energy generation in Lebanon and Palestine.
Botched Execution: Identifying the Shortcomings
The willingness of governments in the Levant to deploy renewable energy
is there, but shortcomings in the implementation are common, hindering
the attainment of pledged targets. For example, around the period 2012–
2014, Ministries of Energy and the public in Jordan and Lebanon had
high hopes that the renewable energy train had taken off. With every
passing year, the global cost of renewable energy technologies was falling
and local competition was increasing with increased local capacity. The
technology itself seemed unstoppable, able to disrupt the most complex
contexts. However, these hopes have yet to be fulfilled in both countries.
The bet on technological advancements was needed, but not enough.
The lack of long-term planning, institutional capacity, and policy consistency has obstructed the renewable energy spree. Vested interests associated with the fossil fuel-based energy sector have also been formidable
veto players while potential regional rivalries with regard to electricity
exports need to be taken into account.
225
wind farm was implemented in 1996 in Hofa, with the support of the
German Government. In 2019, Jordan has implemented the world’s first
solar-powered large accelerator complex through EU funds. In Palestine, UNDP through a grant from the Japanese government implemented
solar systems powering healthcare laboratories. European funds have also
supported the implementation of financing mechanisms across the three
countries. Foreign donors have also played a major role in building the
local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) involvement in the sector
and awareness raising.
Gulf institutes and funds have been involved in utility-scale renewable
energy projects in Jordan such as the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic
Development involvement in the Ma’an wind farm, and in building host
community resilience in Lebanon following the Syrian refugees influx,
such as the Saudi Fund for Development support for small-scale solar
photovoltaic systems in the North of Lebanon. But politics play a role in
the size and scale of their involvements in countries in the region.
These policies, action plans along with donors’ support and the private
sector engagement and the rise of renewable energy lobby groups,
resulted in several utility-scale solar and wind farms in Jordan and the
spread of distributed solar energy generation in Lebanon and Palestine.
Botched Execution: Identifying the Shortcomings
The willingness of governments in the Levant to deploy renewable energy
is there, but shortcomings in the implementation are common, hindering
the attainment of pledged targets. For example, around the period 2012–
2014, Ministries of Energy and the public in Jordan and Lebanon had
high hopes that the renewable energy train had taken off. With every
passing year, the global cost of renewable energy technologies was falling
and local competition was increasing with increased local capacity. The
technology itself seemed unstoppable, able to disrupt the most complex
contexts. However, these hopes have yet to be fulfilled in both countries.
The bet on technological advancements was needed, but not enough.
The lack of long-term planning, institutional capacity, and policy consistency has obstructed the renewable energy spree. Vested interests associated with the fossil fuel-based energy sector have also been formidable
veto players while potential regional rivalries with regard to electricity
exports need to be taken into account.