By Al-Fassel | 2025-10-01

Shabwah – Yemen. Last month, Global South Utilities (GSU) unveiled a 53-megawatt solar power plant in Ataq City, located in Yemen’s Shabwah governorate.

Developed in collaboration with Yemen’s Ministry of Electricity and Energy, the project promises to deliver clean and reliable electricity to thousands of homes and facilities.

Shabwah’s Energy Needs

The solar plant is expected to generate 118,642 megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity annually, enough to power 330,000 households. Additionally, the facility will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 62,727 tons per year, marking a significant step toward environmental sustainability.

The GSU stated the plant will fully meet the energy demands of Ataq City and its surrounding districts. It will power homes, schools, and healthcare facilities, offering a lifeline to communities grappling with years of unreliable electricity.

To ensure stability during peak demand, the project includes a 15-megawatt-hour battery energy storage system. Infrastructure highlights include 85,644 solar panels, six transformer stations, a monitoring building, and a 15 km transmission line connected to the national grid via 51 towers.

Ali Alshimmari, chairman of GSU, emphasized the importance of renewable energy investments in improving quality of life and reducing Yemen’s dependence on fuel imports. “This project expands clean energy access in urban and rural communities, building climate resilience in the process,” he said.

Scaling Solar Power in Aden

The company is also doubling the capacity of its Aden solar plant, Yemen’s largest solar facility, located in Bir Ahmed. The second phase of the project will increase capacity from 120MW to 240MW by 2026.

Once operational, the expanded facility will feature over 194,000 solar panels, generating 247,462 MWh annually—enough to power 687,000 homes. Combined with the first phase, the plant will cut 285,000 tons of carbon emissions annually, equivalent to removing 85,000 cars from the road.

“This expansion strengthens energy security, reduces reliance on imported fuels, and improves air quality in Yemen,” GSU said.

Yemen’s Energy Crisis

Yemen’s electricity infrastructure has been crippled by over a decade of conflict. The fragile truce enacted in 2022 has expired, leaving millions in darkness. As of June, Aden’s power grid delivered less than four hours of electricity daily. Blackouts lasted up to 20 hours in 85% of neighborhoods, according to the UN.

This widespread damage severely impacted essential services like healthcare, education, and clean water. Many households rely on costly diesel generators, further straining Yemen’s fragile economy.

The World Bank reported that Yemen’s real GDP per capita has fallen 58% since 2015, with inflation exceeding 30% in 2024.

Solar Power: A Beacon of Hope

International organizations are stepping in to address Yemen’s energy crisis. The UN Development Program (UNDP), funded by the EU and Sweden, has implemented off-grid solar initiatives. Since 2023, 152 public service facilities, including schools and healthcare centers, have received solar energy equipment.

By harnessing renewable energy, the country can rebuild its infrastructure, empower communities, and work toward a sustainable future.