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The Badia relies upon oil-fired electricity "generated from Amman region". Locally people also make use of kerosene lamps, butane gas and diesel generators. In the tented communities the traditional source of fuel is wood but this is in decline through overuse and a preference for modern technologies. The motorised vehicle has more-or-less taken over from the camel as a mode of transport, which adds to the importance of the service centres such as Safawi.
Given Jordan’s lack of fossil fuels and the increasing global need to develop alternative sources of energy the Badia would seem well placed to explore these on environmental, economic and political grounds. The potential exists for the use of alternative sources of energy and there is a small research centre at Tal Hassan making use of wind and solar power. Some consideration might also be given to the storage and distribution and use of energy as hydrogen by splitting water with renewable energy.
It would be interesting to explore the pros and cons of these alternatives.
