Jordan—rocks to watts

Jordan is hoping that burning oil shale to create power will be a significant step towards greater energy independence

Jordan's first integrated oil shale mining and power project is barely in its infancy. There's still no sign directing you to it on the main southern highway that runs from the capital, Amman, to Aqaba. Bumping along that much-patched road, threading a way among fuel and water tankers, you keep your eyes peeled for the watchtowers of a prison ahead of you on the right. Then it's a hold-your-breath highway u-turn to catch a smaller road heading off across the rocky desert to the east. After passing scatterings of small Bedouin encampments, each with a tethered horse standing close to the tents and sheep feeding around a green water tank, you come upon an olive plantation. Then, after a furthe