Electricity in Yemen in 2022

Yemen's electricity consumption in 2022 was predominantly reliant on fossil fuels, generating approximately 2.35 TWh. This figure signifies a considerable dependence on fossil energy, with clean or low-carbon energy sources contributing negligibly, if at all, to the electricity mix. Compared to the global average electricity consumption of 3638 watts per person, Yemen's consumption is considerably lower. Such low levels of electricity generation can have extensive implications, including limited industrial development, restricted modernization of infrastructure, and reduced access to essential services like healthcare and education. Additionally, this heavy reliance on fossil fuels contributes to climate change and air pollution, which can impact public health and the environment negatively.

Suggestions

To enhance low-carbon electricity generation, Yemen could focus on expanding its solar energy capabilities, given the country's substantial solar potential and its previous investments in this sector. Observing global successes, Yemen can draw insights from countries like India and Brazil, which have significantly invested in solar and wind energy respectively, despite being at different stages of development. India alone generated around 128 TWh from solar energy, illustrating the potential for solar power growth in regions with abundant sunlight. Moreover, scaling up solar energy aligns with Yemen's climatic conditions, making it a practical and sustainable option for increasing clean electricity generation. While initiating wind and nuclear projects could also support diversification, the immediate focus might be oriented towards enhancing solar infrastructure, tapping into the existing groundwork.

History

Historically, Yemen's solar electricity generation has experienced minimal growth. From 2008 to 2014, the solar sector remained stagnant with no notable increases in electricity generation. In 2015, there was a slight uptick with an addition of 0.1 TWh, yet subsequent years showed inconsistency, marked by minor advancements only in 2018 and 2021 of 0.3 TWh and 0.1 TWh, respectively. The pattern indicates sporadic investments and perhaps limited strategic planning or funding resources, leading to arrest in the progress towards consistent low-carbon energy expansion. An opportunity exists to learn from this historical context and invest more steadfastly in continuous development, ensuring better allocation of resources and fostering technology transfer to boost the efficiency and output of Yemen’s clean energy endeavors.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources