How UAE’s solar power station is lighting up Aden in its first phase

The solar power station in Aden is a humanitarian and development project provided by the UAE to support the electricity sector in Yemen. The project aims to provide clean and sustainable energy to the city of Aden and its surrounding areas, which have been suffering from frequent power outages and shortages due to the ongoing conflict and instability in the country.

The project consists of two phases, with a total capacity of 120 megawatts (MW). The first phase, which has a capacity of 60 MW, was inaugurated in February 2024, and is expected to benefit more than 2.5 million people. The second phase, which will also have a capacity of 60 MW, is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.

The project is implemented by the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC), in cooperation with the local authorities and partners. The project is part of the UAE’s humanitarian and development assistance to Yemen, which amounts to more than $6 billion since 2015.

The benefits

The solar power station in Aden will have various benefits for the people and the environment, such as:

– Improving the living conditions and the public services in Aden, by providing reliable and affordable electricity to homes, hospitals, schools, and businesses.

– Enhancing the security and stability in Aden, by reducing the dependence on diesel generators, which are costly, noisy, and prone to sabotage and theft.

– Supporting the economic recovery and development in Aden, by creating jobs and opportunities for the local population, and by attracting investments and projects to the city.

– Reducing the carbon emissions and the environmental impact of the electricity sector in Aden, by using renewable and clean energy sources, and by saving about 42,000 tons of diesel per year.

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The reaction

The solar power station in Aden has received positive feedback and recognition from various stakeholders, including the Yemeni government, the UAE government, the ERC, the UN, and the public.

The Yemeni Prime Minister, Maeen Abdulmalik Saeed, praised the UAE for its generous and continuous support to Yemen, and said that the solar power station in Aden was a “historic achievement” and a “qualitative leap” for the electricity sector in the country.

The UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, said that the UAE was committed to helping Yemen restore its infrastructure and services, and that the solar power station in Aden was a “model of cooperation and partnership” between the UAE and Yemen.

The ERC Secretary General, Dr. Mohammed Ateeq Al Falahi, said that the solar power station in Aden was a “humanitarian and development milestone” and a “source of hope and optimism” for the Yemeni people.

The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, David Gressly, commended the UAE for its “generous contribution” and “timely intervention” to address the electricity crisis in Aden, and said that the solar power station in Aden was a “game-changer” and a “lifeline” for the city.

The public in Aden also expressed their gratitude and appreciation to the UAE for providing them with the solar power station, and said that the project had improved their quality of life and well-being. They also hoped that the project would be replicated in other parts of Yemen.