First Solar Power Plant Launched in Yemen with UAE Support

Government officials announced that authorities in the city of Aden, southern Yemen, inaugurated today, Monday, the trial operation of the first electricity generation plant powered by solar energy in the country, provided with support from the UAE, amid ongoing power outages in the city. The trial operation has begun with generating between 20 to 30 percent of the plant's total capacity of 120 megawatts, paving the way for full operation within three months. The project is the first and largest strategic initiative for generating electricity through clean and renewable energy in Yemen. The city of Aden, the temporary capital of Yemen and the seat of the government, has been suffering from deteriorating public services, particularly electricity, since its liberation from Houthi forces in late April 2015. An official from Aden Electricity Corporation told Reuters on Monday that the project's cost in the first phase is approximately 100 million dollars, supported by the UAE, with a capacity of 120 megawatts, expected to reach 600 megawatts in the second phase over the next few years. The new solar power plant is located in the Bir Ahmed area west of Aden, covering a total area of 1.6 million square meters.