In the race to decarbonise, one crucial question remains unanswered: can renewable energy reach everyone — especially those living in sun-drenched yet underserved regions? A new study from Jordan provides a compelling case that it can, and how green hydrogen can play an important role in sustainability energy.
This research doesn’t just explore hydrogen as a clean energy source; it demonstrates how hydrogen systems can become a lifeline for countries facing energy insecurity, economic dependency, and limited access to modern infrastructure. While the study is centred in Jordan, its findings are loaded with relevance for countries with similar challenges, from southern Europe to sub-Saharan Africa — and even off-grid northern communities seeking energy sovereignty.
From Fossil Reliance to Green Independence
Jordan, like many countries in the Global South, imports over 90% of its energy needs. This makes it highly vulnerable to market volatility, supply chain shocks, and geopolitical pressures. Yet it also has something else in abundance: sunlight.
Using solar power to produce green hydrogen through water electrolysis could help such countries move toward energy independence. Unlike other renewables, hydrogen doesn’t need to be used immediately. It can be stored, transported, and converted into electricity or heat on demand. And importantly, it doesn’t emit carbon dioxide when used—just water.
The Study’s Breakthrough: Scaling Hydrogen for Local Impact
The real innovation in this Jordanian study lies in how the researchers approached hydrogen not just as a technology, but as a system with social and economic dimensions. They developed a comprehensive Hydrogen Economy Assessment Framework, designed to help policy-makers and investors identify where and how hydrogen could deliver the most sustainable bang for their buck.
Rather than assume a one-size-fits-all model, they evaluated how hydrogen production, storage, and usage can be tailored to specific local contexts, depending on existing infrastructure, water availability, labour markets, and technical capacity.
This kind of system-level thinking could help communities from rural British Columbia to the Greek islands unlock renewable energy potential without relying on centralised grids or fossil-fuel subsidies.
Water Worries and Income Wins
What about the water demands of electrolysis? The researchers tackled this head-on, calculating that Jordan could supply sufficient water for hydrogen production using existing wastewater treatment capacity. The same logic applies elsewhere: with smart reuse of greywater and brackish sources, green hydrogen doesn’t need to compete with drinking water.
Even more compelling is the employment potential. Unlike oil and gas, which tend to concentrate wealth, hydrogen systems — especially in remote areas — can support decentralised job creation, from system installation to maintenance and logistics. For countries with high youth unemployment and net energy imports, this is a strategic win.
What This Means for the Rest of the World
The implications of this work stretch far beyond Jordan. Many countries at similar latitudes—whether in North Africa, Central Asia, or rural Australia—face overlapping challenges: high solar potential, limited access to clean energy, water constraints, and economic dependency on fuel imports.
By showing how hydrogen can address all of these simultaneously, this research offers a roadmap not just for decarbonisation, but for building resilient, inclusive economies powered by local resources.
Urban readers in high-income countries might wonder: why should we care? Because enabling people to thrive in rural, remote, or economically marginalised areas with clean energy reduces migration pressure, stabilises global supply chains, and promotes global climate equity. In short, it makes the transition fairer — and more feasible for everyone.
Endnotes
1. Jordan aims to become green hydrogen powerhouse, Financial Times, 2023-11-06.
2. Can wastewater be used for green hydrogen production?, Nature Reviews Chemistry, 2022-05-12.
3. Hydrogen’s job creation potential in emerging markets, International Renewable Energy Agency, 2021-09-29.
4. What if green hydrogen could lift entire regions out of energy poverty?, The Economist, 2024-04-03.
Source
Empowering Nations: Hydrogen solutions for eliminating energy dependence, emissions, and promoting sustainable income generation, Energy Conversion & Management: X, 2025-07-05
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