The Cabinet approves a series of measures in an extraordinary meeting to address the electricity crisis.

Government Addresses Electricity Crisis in Yemen

On Sunday, Prime Minister Salem Saleh bin Brek led an extraordinary meeting of the Cabinet in the temporary capital, Aden. The meeting focused on the ongoing electricity crisis, characterized by prolonged outages that have exacerbated the suffering of citizens, particularly during the sweltering summer months. The Cabinet aimed to devise urgent solutions and alternatives to address the decline in this vital sector.

Urgent Measures Approved

Following extensive discussions and reviews of presented reports, the Cabinet approved a series of immediate actions. These measures include providing emergency fuel supplies to power generation stations in Aden and increasing daily allocations of crude oil and local diesel. Additionally, the government will secure sufficient quantities to maintain a strategic reserve that meets the stations’ needs for at least one month, preparing for any emergencies. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of accountability among ministries and relevant agencies in transporting fuel to power stations, enhancing oversight on distribution, and ensuring efficient usage to reduce outage hours and alleviate citizens’ hardships.

Acknowledging Public Frustration

At the beginning of the session, the Prime Minister acknowledged the widespread public anger stemming from the deteriorating electricity service, especially in Aden, where residents struggle with rising summer temperatures. He stated, “I reaffirm that we, as a government, must move beyond statements and justifications. We need practical solutions that citizens can feel, as they only care about improvements in electricity service and reduced outage hours.”

Economic Impact of Electricity Sector

The Prime Minister highlighted that the current state of the electricity sector negatively impacts the national budget. A significant portion of limited resources is allocated to electricity without any tangible improvement or satisfactory service for citizens. He stressed the need to stop wasteful spending and ensure that funds designated for electricity are utilized transparently and effectively. He warned that corruption and mismanagement can no longer be tolerated in any sector, including electricity, and those obstructing solutions or depleting resources will face accountability.

Reports from the Ministry of Electricity

The Cabinet reviewed several reports from the Minister of Electricity, which included input from technical experts and officials from the General Electricity Corporation and Aden Electricity. These reports provided a detailed overview of the current state of the electrical system, including infrastructure, challenges, and urgent interventions needed. They also outlined unconventional approaches to improve efficiency in production, distribution, and revenue collection, as well as viable economic alternatives for generating electricity using lower-cost fuels.

Master Plan for the Electricity Sector

The Cabinet discussed the master plan for the electricity sector, developed with funding from the World Bank and other donors. This plan includes strategic initiatives aimed at revitalizing the sector. The Cabinet expressed its support for this plan as a strategic measure for recovery and emphasized the importance of implementing the proposed projects as an urgent phase.

Gratitude for International Support

The Cabinet conveyed its appreciation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for their ongoing support to the electricity sector, including fuel grants and vital projects. The government looks forward to continued support during the upcoming phase, alongside internal reforms that ensure sustainability and transparency.

Strategic Partnerships with the Private Sector

The Cabinet affirmed the government’s openness to forming strategic partnerships with the private sector in electricity generation, transmission, and distribution. Coordination with the Presidential Leadership Council will establish regulations and legislation to ensure the success of these partnerships, including models like Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) and Independent Power Producers (IPP). The Cabinet underscored the importance of private sector involvement in energy, aiming to meet the increasing energy demands in Yemen.

Encouraging Renewable Energy Investments

The meeting also discussed proposals and incentives to promote renewable energy use and expand investments in solar and wind energy. The Cabinet highlighted ongoing solar energy projects in various regions, including Aden, Al-Mokha, Shabwa, Hadramout, Lahij, Taiz, and Al-Hudaydah. It emphasized the need to complete solar energy systems for schools and health centers. The Cabinet called on international partners to support the government in harnessing Yemen’s significant potential for renewable energy generation, which could provide lasting solutions to the electricity crisis.

Strategic Vision for Sustainable Solutions

A specialized team from the Renewable Energy Center at Hadramout University presented a strategic vision to support government efforts in addressing the electricity crisis and fuel supply issues. This vision includes comprehensive solutions and the potential for sustainable partnerships between the public and private sectors.

Commitment to Action

In closing, the Prime Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing the electricity crisis despite challenging circumstances. He emphasized that the top priority is to alleviate citizens’ suffering and gradually stabilize electricity service. He stated, “We will not stop at diagnosis; we will move towards implementation with the available resources, and we will hold accountable anyone who falls short. This is our responsibility before God and the people.”

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