The internationally recognized Yemeni government has approved the construction of a solar power plant in Shabwah Governorate (eastern Yemen), marking a significant step in addressing the country's long-standing electricity crisis.

This new plant will be the second solar power project undertaken by the government, following the inauguration of the first solar power plant in Aden, the temporary capital, in mid-July.

Governor of Shabwah, Awad bin Wazir, laid the foundation stone for the new 53-megawatt solar power plant on Thursday, August 8th. The project is being funded by the United Arab Emirates.

The plant will be built on a 600,000-square-meter site in the northwest of Ataq, the governorate's capital, and will include over 120 solar panels.

The first solar power plant, inaugurated by Yemeni Prime Minister Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak in the Buraiqah district of Aden on July 15th, has a capacity of 120 megawatts.

During the inauguration, Prime Minister bin Mubarak emphasized that the plant is part of the government's commitment to finding sustainable solutions to the electricity crisis. He highlighted the project's significance as a strategic initiative for renewable energy in Yemen, demonstrating the government's dedication to environmental protection and the goals of climate summits, including the recent Dubai Climate Summit.

Yemen's electricity sector faces a significant deficit, a fact acknowledged by Prime Minister bin Mubarak himself. In a previous television interview, he stated that the cost of importing fuel for power plants in Aden is draining the country's public treasury, costing two million dollars daily.

The construction of these solar power plants represents a crucial step towards addressing the electricity crisis and promoting sustainable energy solutions in Yemen.