Currently, electricity consumption in Yemen is extremely low, with the total electricity generation standing at 2.55 TWh from fossil fuels. This scarce amount of electricity means that each person in Yemen only consumes about 78 kWh of electricity per year, a stark contrast to the global average of approximately 3412 kWh/person. Almost none of Yemen's electricity is generated from low-carbon sources, which are essential for reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change. The overwhelming dependence on fossil fuels not only contributes to air pollution but also poses challenges to sustainable development. Moreover, the insufficient electricity supply heavily impacts social and economic development, influencing sectors like health, education, and industry.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Yemen?
Electricity generation in Yemen, unfortunately, has been on a declining trend. In 2013, the electricity consumption was at 290 kWh/person, indicating a sharp decrease of 212 kWh/person as of 2023. The numbers for low-carbon electricity have remained almost unchanged, with the current figure at 13 kWh/person, a marginal decrease from the 2019 record of 14 kWh/person. This stagnation suggests a need for urgent policy updates and investment in growing clean electricity sources. It highlights a missed opportunity to harness low-carbon technologies that have been proven effective in many regions around the world, setting Yemen back in the global race towards sustainable energy solutions.
Suggestions
Yemen has the potential to increase low-carbon electricity generation significantly by expanding its solar energy capacity, given its abundant sunlight. Learning from successful countries like China and the United States, which generate large amounts of solar electricity, could provide valuable insights. China, for example, generates an impressive 1170 TWh from solar, while the United States has robust solar capabilities of 381 TWh. Embracing solar energy, similar to India and South Africa, both of which have relatively high solar electricity generation, could serve as effective role models for Yemen. Furthermore, exploring the potential for wind energy in partnership with these solar expansion efforts could lead to a better energy portfolio, ultimately reducing Yemen's dependence on fossil fuels and contributing to global clean energy targets.
History
Historically, Yemen's development of solar energy has been slow and inconsistent. From 2008 to 2014, there was no significant new solar electricity generation. A slight improvement was seen in 2015 with a modest increase of 0.1 TWh, followed by 0.3 TWh in 2018. Despite these small advancements, subsequent years have not shown further growth, with no recorded increase from 2019 to 2023. This lack of progress underscores the critical need for strategic intervention and support in fostering a robust low-carbon energy sector in Yemen. It is vital that Yemen leverages its solar capacity and invests in green technologies to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future. The global trajectory toward clean energy is unmistakable, and Yemen must harness its resources to join this transformative journey.
