Sustainable Energy Transition in Jordan: The Interplay of Regulatory Frameworks and Infrastructure

Abstract: This article provides a comprehensive analysis of Jordan?s energy transition, integrating regulatory, infrastructural, and social aspects to advance the nation?s journey toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in clean energy, innovation, and infrastructure. Utilizing regression analysis and data from 447 households, this study defines the interdependence of policy and infrastructure in solar energy adoption, identifying tariff structures as a primary influencer. The current net metering policy, which limits compensation to 80% of exported energy, results in lengthy payback periods, contrasting with Morocco?s successful 100% feed-in tariff model and its shorter payback period. This comparative perspective, examining Morocco, Egypt, and the UAE, identifies effective renewable strategies. Those underline this study?s global relevance, particularly in promoting equitable access and infrastructural modernization. The article?s practical dimension is another major asset. Beyond diagnosing challenges such as deficiencies in battery storage and urban?rural disparities in subsidy access, the authors propose concrete reforms like licensing simplification, tariff indexing, and energy storage development. That dual academic and applied value positions this study as a crucial resource for shaping Jordanian energy policy and aiding other developing nations in their renewable energy pursuits. By filling a research gap, this article quantitatively assesses the interaction between regulatory policy and infrastructure, which are often separately studied, while the use of random sampling enhances the validity of its statistical inferences. Overall, this research contributes significantly to the broader discourse on renewable energy transitions within the MENA region and beyond, aligning policy, technology, and equity to support Jordan?s sustainable energy efforts. Keywords: solar energy adoption; regulatory policies; infrastructural modernization; Jordan; MENA; renewable energy transition; energy policy; structural equation modeling; subsidy equity; tariff structure