In 2023, Yemen's electricity consumption paints a challenging picture with fossil energy accounting for 2.55 TWh, which represents the vast majority of its electricity supply. Low-carbon electricity generation is minimal, recorded at merely 13 kWh per person. This low level of clean electricity generation starkly contrasts with the global trend towards greener energy solutions. Comparing Yemen's total electricity consumption of 78 kWh per person to the global average of 3781 kWh per person reveals a significant discrepancy, highlighting issues like limited electricity access and reduced economic and developmental opportunities. The reliance on fossil fuels not only contributes to climate change but also lacks the sustainability offered by clean energy sources, such as nuclear and solar power.
Is Electricity Growing in Yemen?
Electricity consumption in Yemen has not shown growth; rather, it has experienced a decline. The latest figure of 78 kWh per person marks a significant decrease from its previous high of 290 kWh per person in 2013. This represents a drop of 212 kWh per person, underscoring a decade of struggles in Yemen's electricity sector. Similarly, low-carbon electricity generation has decreased, dropping from 14 kWh per person in 2018 to 13 kWh per person currently. This decline indicates not only a stagnation in expanding clean energy capacity but also a worrying trend in an already low baseline of green electricity generation. These numbers call for urgent action to reverse this downward trajectory and commit to clean energy development.
Suggestions
To increase its low-carbon electricity generation, Yemen should look towards enhancing its solar power capabilities, given its geographic suitability for harnessing solar energy. Learning from successful regions, Yemen can draw inspiration from countries like the People's Republic of China, which has significant solar generation at 1025 TWh, and India, with 154 TWh. These examples demonstrate the potential of solar energy with substantial investment and technological adoption. While Yemen currently lacks nuclear capacity, observing countries like France and the United States, which have robust nuclear energy production, could serve as a future model. Introducing nuclear energy, alongside expanding solar infrastructure, could dramatically improve Yemen's electricity sustainability and independence, addressing both current limitations and future energy needs for economic growth.
History
The historical trajectory of low-carbon electricity in Yemen demonstrates minimal progress, primarily centered around solar energy initiatives. From 2008 to 2014, there was no increase in solar power generation. A slight uptick occurred in 2015, with a 0.1 TWh rise, followed by another modest increase in 2018 by 0.3 TWh. This suggests that while there have been efforts to integrate solar energy, they have not been sustained nor significant enough for notable long-term gains. Since 2019, no further increases in solar power generation were recorded, underscoring a stagnation in Yemen's clean energy efforts. The lack of growth in this sector remains a concern that needs strategic interventions and investments to ensure progress in the coming years.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.