With Emirati support… Inauguration of a power station in Aden
Over the years, the United Arab Emirates has made concerted efforts to support Yemen and its people in various developmental, economic, humanitarian, and energy sectors, as government officials have revealed. Authorities in the city of Aden in southern Yemen launched the experimental operation of the country’s first solar power station on Monday, provided as support by the UAE, amid ongoing power outages in the city.
The experimental operation began with the generation of between 20 to 30% of the total capacity of the station, which amounts to 120 megawatts, in preparation for full utilization within three months. This marks the first and largest strategic project for electricity generation through clean and renewable energy sources in Yemen.
Since its liberation from Houthi forces in late April 2015, Aden, the interim capital of Yemen and seat of the government, has been suffering from deteriorating public services, especially electricity.
An official from the Aden Electricity Company stated today, Monday, that the project’s cost is approximately $100 million in its initial phase, with support from the UAE, and a capacity of 120 megawatts, to reach 600 megawatts in the second phase over the coming years.
The new solar power station is located in the Bir Ahmed area, west of Aden, and covers a total area of 1.6 million square meters.
Between 2015 and 2018, the United Arab Emirates provided approximately $5.5 billion to finance emergency food aid, energy supplies, and healthcare services, and allocated $287 million to the World Food Programme to support the Yemeni people.
Abu Dhabi ranked first as the largest donor of direct humanitarian aid to Yemenis, who found relief in UAE initiatives from the fallout of the economic and social crisis gripping their country.
The UAE has also taken on the treatment of many casualties in the fighting in Yemen, in addition to the crucial role played by UAE Red Crescent clinics in providing healthcare services to residents of Yemeni villages.
