The proportion of renewable energy in Jordan is consistent with the Middle Eastern average of less than 5% (USAID, 2011). However, some analysts project that by 2050, about 50% of the region’s electricity will be generated from renewable sources (Menon, 2010) and were Jordan to fully exploit its solar resources now, it could become a global leader and exporter of renewable energy in the future. Currently, renewable energy is estimated to contribute 2.5% to 4% growth to Jordan’s GDP and to create at least 3 000 new jobs (USAID, 2011). Because renewable energy projects are more labour intense than conventional energy sources, there are reasons to expect a net increase in employment from renewable energy, which could be significant at a time when jobs in the hydrocarbons sector are minimal (OECD, 2012 forthcoming b).