In 2023, Yemen’s electricity consumption was extremely low: just 78 kWh per person, compared with a global average of 3,794 kWh—roughly one-fiftieth of the global level. Fossil fuels dominated electricity supply, providing about 2.6 TWh. Low-carbon electricity amounted to around 13 kWh per person, or roughly one-sixth of the total, leaving about five-sixths dependent on fossil sources. Such limited electricity availability can constrain healthcare, education, refrigeration, water pumping and economic activity. Expanding clean electricity would help meet these essential needs while reducing the air pollution and climate impacts associated with fossil fuels.

Is Electricity Growing in Yemen?

Electricity consumption in Yemen is far below its historical peak rather than showing sustained growth. The 2023 figure of 78 kWh per person was 212 kWh below the 2013 record of 290 kWh—a decline of roughly three-quarters. Low-carbon electricity has also stagnated: its latest level of about 13 kWh per person was close to, but slightly below, the 2019 record of around 14 kWh. The supplied change of zero is best understood as indicating little movement at the data’s reporting precision, rather than a meaningful increase. This prolonged shortfall is concerning: Yemen needs substantially more electricity to support development, electrification and future demand.

Suggestions

Yemen should prioritize expanding its existing solar generation, which already provides a meaningful share of its small electricity supply. Rooftop systems, community solar projects and larger installations, supported by storage and stronger electricity networks, could broaden access. Relevant examples include the United Arab Emirates, with around 14 TWh of solar electricity, and Pakistan, with about 41 TWh; both offer useful experience with solar deployment in sunny environments. Yemen could also assess suitable wind sites, drawing on Turkey’s approximately 42 TWh of wind generation. For longer-term clean electricity development, Yemen should consider nuclear generation alongside solar, learning from the United Arab Emirates’ roughly 32 TWh of nuclear electricity and Pakistan’s 22 TWh, including their experience developing institutions, technical expertise and international partnerships.

History

Yemen’s recorded low-carbon electricity history is largely a story of two solar increases followed by stagnation. From 2008 through 2014, the data show no annual increase in solar generation. Output then rose by about 0.1 TWh in 2015, followed by no recorded change in 2016 or 2017. A larger increase of around 0.3 TWh arrived in 2018. From 2019 through 2023, every reported annual change was again zero. These figures describe changes, not an absence of generation, but they underline the need to restart and sustain solar expansion rather than allow clean electricity development to remain stalled.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade