Jordan has recently embarked on establishing a nuclear program in the hope that it would resolve its energy security problems,meet its increasing demand of electricity and promote economic growth through localization. This paper examines the economic risks and challenges associated with Jordan's nuclear program. It is based on a comparative cost analysis and interviews conducted with current and former Jordanian policy makers. Economically,nuclear power represents a high-risk option for Jordan as it involves three potentially costly scenarios of varying impact: project cancellation,unplanned outages and the declining costs of renewable technologies,particularly solar power. The paper also highlights other challenges facing Jordan in its pursuit of nuclear power such as opaque decision-making process and the need for an independent and competent nuclear regulatory body.