UAE Expands Renewable Energy Projects To Provide Clean Electricity For Over One Million Homes In Yemen
The renewable energy landscape in Yemen has seen a transformative development with the expansion of the Aden Solar Power Plant and the commissioning of the Shabwah Solar Power Plant. These projects are spearheaded by Global South Utilities (GSU), a UAE-based company under Abu Dhabi's Resources Investment, in collaboration with Yemen's Ministry of Electricity and Energy.
On 28 August, GSU inaugurated the Shabwah Solar Power Plant in Ataq, Shabwah Governorate. This facility boasts a generation capacity of 53 megawatts and includes a 15 MWh battery storage system. Positioned near Ataq University, it is set to produce approximately 118,642 MWh of clean electricity annually while reducing carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 62,727 tonnes each year.
The Shabwah Solar Power Plant now provides clean electricity to about 330,000 households. Meanwhile, the Aden Solar Power Plant will supply power to 687,000 households upon its completion in 2026. Combined, these projects will deliver clean electricity to over one million homes, marking them as the largest initiatives in Yemen’s renewable energy sector.
Infrastructure developments at the Shabwah plant include 85,644 solar panels and six transformer stations. A central monitoring and control building is also part of the setup. Additionally, an overhead transmission line spanning 15 kilometres connects the plant to the national grid through 51 towers.
Also on 28 August, GSU launched the second phase of the Aden Solar Power Plant in Bir Ahmed. This expansion adds 120 MW to its current capacity. By 2026, when completed, this plant will have a total capacity of 240 MW, making it Yemen's largest solar power project.
The second phase alone will generate around 247,000 MWh annually and cut approximately 142,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year. Together with Phase One, total annual emission reductions will reach about 285,000 tonnes—equivalent to removing over 85,000 cars from roads.
Community Benefits and Environmental Impact
The electricity generated from these plants will fully meet the needs of Ataq City and six nearby districts: Al-Saeed, Al-Musayni’ah, Jardan, Nisab, Markhah, and Habban. This power supply supports homes as well as schools and healthcare facilities while fostering local economic growth.
Ali Al Shimmari, Managing Director and CEO of GSU stated: "Delivering clean and reliable electricity to more than one million homes in Aden and Shabwah is not just an engineering achievement but a vital step towards improving people’s lives and strengthening economic and social stability."
Commitment to Sustainable Development
These projects highlight the UAE’s dedication to empowering communities through integrated clean energy solutions. They aim to expand access to sustainable power while reducing reliance on imported fuels. This approach reinforces Yemen’s pathways toward stability and development.
Al Shimmari further emphasised that investing in renewable energy is crucial for enhancing quality of life by reducing dependence on fuel imports and increasing resilience against climate change impacts.
With inputs from WAM
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