UAE supplies Aden with the first solar power plant with a capacity of 120 megawatts
Yemen’s Ministry of Electricity and Energy on Wednesday signed a co-operation agreement with Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, “Masdar”, to build the country’s first solar power plant in the southern city of Aden, the state-run news agency reported.
The agreement calls for the construction of a 120-megawatt solar power plant, transmission lines, and transformational plants to transport and distribute energy, which would reduce the cost of generating electricity during daylight hours and reduce fuel use.
The project is Yemen’s first and largest strategic project for generating electricity through clean and renewable energy.
Yemeni Minister of Electricity Mane Bin Yemeen said the plant’s survey began a month ago and that there is great interest in completing the project as soon as possible.
Aden, Yemen’s temporary capital and seat of government, has been hit by a worsening of public services, especially electricity.
“The electricity sector has been facing major and accumulated challenges and difficulties for years,” EDF said. “The rate of electric power load in Aden increased with the urban expansion and the high population density, as the total power that Aden needs now reaches more than 600 megawatts, while the plants produce less than 200 megawatts per day, which is about 35% of the need.”
The Yemeni government says power plants are draining state resources as fees fall. Official reports indicate the government provides the equivalent of $600 million annually for electricity fuel, but revenues are not as high as $50 million.
