I write today as we stand on the verge of yet another hike in fuel prices, driven by the fallout of the war with Iran and the potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz. We find ourselves facing a recurring scene, yet one we rarely learn from. Every energy crisis we endure is never truly a surprise; rather, it exposes the fragility of our model and our deep dependence on the outside world—as if we have not yet realized that geopolitics has no mercy for an economy that lacks its own alternatives.
اضافة اعلان
The rising price of gasoline in Jordan is no longer just economic news; it has transformed into a real test of our ability to think outside the box. Every time prices soar, the debate becomes preoccupied with reactionary measures, while the most critical question remains absent: Why are we still here? Why, despite all the global shifts, have we not yet finalized our choice to build an independent energy system?
The world around us made its choice years ago. It no longer views energy as a mere service, but as a tool for sovereignty and economic independence. Europe, which faced acute energy crises, did not settle for mere crisis management; it rebuilt its entire system. It invested heavily in solar energy, modernized its power grids, and upgraded transformer capacities to accommodate decentralized production—even from rooftops. The result was not just cleaner energy, but a more stable economy.
In Jordan, the picture is different despite having all the necessary ingredients. We are among the most fortunate countries in the world regarding solar radiation, yet we still treat solar energy as a secondary option rather than a strategic one. This paradox is no longer acceptable, especially with the repetition of the same crises. While countries with fewer natural resources than ours have clear transition plans, we continue to hesitate under pretexts that no longer convince anyone.
The most frequent of these excuses is "weak infrastructure." However, the truth is that Jordan does not suffer from a collapsed infrastructure; rather, it possesses a good foundation compared to the region. The real challenge is not the existence of infrastructure, but the speed of its development. Power grids do not become "smart" on their own, and transformers do not expand without a clear investment decision. Continuing to delay this modernization simply means delaying the solution—nothing more.
The fundamental question today is: Are we ready to make the decision? Opening the door wide for the transition to solar cells is no longer a luxury; it is an economic necessity. Similarly, investing in the modernization of the electrical grid is no longer a deferrable option, but a prerequisite for any future expansion. As for the talk of fearing a "surplus," that debate is over, given that Jordan now exports electricity to several neighboring countries. Furthermore, in the modern energy world, a surplus—even if not exported—represents an opportunity for storage or industrial expansion, not a burden as it was in the past.
It is important to acknowledge that the government is not absent from the scene. There are projects being implemented and clear efforts to move the wheels of the economy despite the pressures. However, what has been achieved so far, important as it may be, still falls short of the magnitude of the challenge. The current stage does not just need incremental improvements; it requires a bold decision that completely redefines the energy sector and moves us from a position of reaction to a position of action.
The undeniable truth is that continued reliance on traditional energy sources means remaining at the mercy of any upcoming crisis—be it a regional war or global market volatility. Each time, the citizen will pay the same price, and we will return to the same debate without ever leaving the closed circle.
The rise in gasoline prices is not the problem in itself; it is a reflection of a larger issue. As for the solution, it is clear and rises above us every day. Solar energy is not a "future" option; it is a present opportunity that can entirely reshape the Jordanian economy if invested in correctly.
