Comparing What Triggered Renewable Energy Development in Jordan and Morocco
Despite lacking oil and gas resources and its accompanying wealth, Jordan and Morocco are leading renewable energy producers in the Middle East and North Africa. This research paper is a comparative case study that analyzes policy intent, policy implementation, investment solicitation, and financing structures to understand how Jordan and Morocco instigated large growth in renewables production before other nations in the region with significant fossil fuel resources did so, like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Qatar, and Algeria. Both Jordan and Morocco focus on growing the share of solar-generated electricity and command government ministries to solicit interest from private developers who then construct and manage renewables projects. However, differences exist in regards to incentives for rooftop-solar panel installations and if government ministries or private developers design renewables projects. This research provides policymakers with insights into how the expansion of renewables production can occur in relatively poor nations that don’t possess prior expertise in energy production.