Yemen is dealing with the dilemma of energy networks that are unstable and indefensible. Due to the fighting, certain energy systems have been completely damaged, while others have been partially devastated, resulting in a drop in generation capacity and even fuel delivery challenges from power generation plants.
Alkholidi FHA (2013) Utilization of solar power energy in the telecommunication sector in Yemen. J Sci Technol n.d. 4 pp 4–11 Alkholidi AG (2013) Renewable energy solution for electrical power sector in Yemen.
Yemen has one of the highest levels of solar radiation in the world, increased solar irradiation availability throughout the year. Yemen has a long coastline and high altitudes of 3677 m above sea level, making it an ideal location for wind energy generation, with an estimated 4.1 h of full-load wind per day.
However, Yemen’s current energy mix is dominated by fossil fuels (about 99.91%), with renewable energy accounting for only about 0.009%. The national renewable energy and energy efficiency strategy, on the other hand, sets goals, including a 15% increase in renewable energy contribution to the power sector by 2025 (Fig. 11).
In August 2013, Yemen began construction of a new 400 MW (Ma’rib II) gas-fired power generation facility, which is scheduled to start operation at the end of 2014, but was delayed to the recent years due to the recent security turmoil (Economic Consulting Associates Limited 2009; Arab Union of Electricity 2015; U.S. 2017; Rawea and Urooj 2018).
Yemen will generate annual revenue from carbon trading and the sale of unused fossil fuels (such as oil and its by-products) and natural gas by relying on renewable energy to generate electricity. Table 12 The percentage (%) of total generating capacity from the wind and solar resources expected to 2050