On the crossroad – renewable energy sources or shale oil? Understanding patterns of social attitudes in Jordan

Abstract

AbstractEnergy policy in Jordan is a contested issue as several options for deployment of technologies exist. Shale oil and renewable energy sources are two energy generation technologies which are currently being intensively considered by the Jordanian energy policy process and there are shale oil and renewable energy projects which are currently in operation, in planning or in construction. Each of these options relates to various perceptions of risks and benefits of a given technology and has its opponents and supporters. Understanding of how inhabitants of communities where infrastructure is planned perceive these energy generation technologies is crucial as infrastructure will impact the life of the community and the feedback from the community can improve the deployment of infrastructure. The major focus of this paper is on attitudes of local communities where shale oil and renewable energies are in operation. To identify of how various environmental, technical, social and environmental factors influence attitudes including awareness and perceptions of these two energy generation technologies we conducted large scale surveys in four different communities of Jordan. Two of these communities (Ma’an and Tafileh) had renewable energy projects and other two communities (Lajoun and Attarat) had projects on shale oil extraction and power generation.