Barran Press
The internationally recognized Yemeni government announced on Monday, July 8th, 2024, the completion of a 120 megawatt solar power plant in the Al-Buraiqah district of Aden, the country's temporary capital. The plant is expected to begin supplying electricity to the city within the coming days.
Prime Minister Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak visited the solar plant, which spans 1.6 million square meters, during a tour on Monday. The plant, funded by the United Arab Emirates, is designed to bolster Yemen's electricity generation capacity.
Officials overseeing the project confirmed that construction is 100% complete and final inspections are underway. The plant will soon commence trial operations before officially entering service and providing 120 megawatts of electricity to the grid.
The project involved the installation of over 211,000 solar panels, 900 kilometers of electrical cables, 43,000 metal structures, 12 substations, 9 kilometers of high-voltage lines, and a main substation.
During a meeting with the project's implementing company, Prime Minister bin Mubarak highlighted the significance of this "first and largest strategic project for generating electricity through clean and renewable energy in Yemen." He emphasized that the plant will "reduce the cost of electricity generation and create a success story that can be replicated in other provinces."
Bin Mubarak stressed the government's commitment to fostering partnerships with donor countries and organizations to find sustainable solutions for increasing electricity generation through renewable energy. He emphasized the importance of using this project as a springboard for a comprehensive vision to address the electricity sector's challenges and alleviate the suffering of citizens.
The Prime Minister also announced plans to establish a training institute for Yemeni personnel in the field of renewable energy, noting that the solar plant will be maintained and operated entirely by Yemeni personnel.
The announcement comes amidst a severe electricity crisis in Aden, with the city's "President" power plant shutting down on July 4th due to fuel shortages, coinciding with a heatwave and worsening electricity service.
Aden has been grappling with the worst electricity crisis in decades, leading to widespread protests due to the frequent power outages. The electricity sector faces a significant government deficit, as acknowledged by Prime Minister bin Mubarak in a previous television interview. He stated that the cost of importing fuel for power plants in Aden is draining the national treasury, with millions of dollars being spent daily.
The new solar power plant offers a glimmer of hope for Aden and Yemen as a whole, providing a clean and sustainable source of energy while addressing the country's pressing energy needs.