The Minister of Electricity discusses strengthening energy sector cooperation with a French delegation in Aden.

Minister of Electricity Discusses Energy Sector Support with French Delegation in Aden

In a significant meeting held today in Aden, Yemen’s Minister of Electricity and Energy, Engineer Adnan Al-Kaf, engaged with a French delegation led by Ambassador Catherine Cornet-Camon. The discussions focused on enhancing support for Yemen’s electricity sector and fostering technical and investment cooperation between the two nations.

Importance of Continued Coordination

During the meeting, both parties emphasized the need for ongoing coordination. They agreed on the necessity of implementing comprehensive reforms aimed at improving electricity services and alleviating the hardships faced by citizens.

Addressing Key Challenges in the Electricity Sector

Minister Al-Kaf highlighted the primary challenges confronting the electricity sector, particularly the shortage of fuel required to operate power generation stations in Aden. He stressed the importance of finding practical and sustainable solutions, including the exploration of transporting crude oil by sea as a more efficient and stable supply alternative.

Prioritizing Humanitarian Needs

The minister underscored that the electricity crisis represents a humanitarian priority directly affecting citizens’ lives. He called for efforts to ensure equitable and continuous access to electricity services. Al-Kaf noted that the ministry is implementing a series of institutional reforms, which include reorganizing the electricity sector and clarifying the roles of generation, transmission, and distribution. Additionally, he mentioned reviewing previous projects in coordination with the World Bank to ensure their execution meets sound technical foundations and clear standards.

Encouraging Private Sector Investment

The government is moving towards developing a financing model that offers guarantees to encourage private sector participation and attract investments in energy projects. This approach aims to accelerate the implementation of vital projects and enhance the sector’s efficiency. Al-Kaf indicated that the electricity issue will be a priority topic during the upcoming spring meetings in Washington, emphasizing the importance of involving relevant authorities to accurately present the challenges.

Strengthening Regional Partnerships

The minister also discussed the significance of enhancing regional partnerships, particularly with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He proposed developing collaborative models that include electricity interconnection projects and leveraging available resources in the energy sector.

Strategic Projects and Renewable Energy Initiatives

Regarding strategic projects, Minister Al-Kaf revealed that the ministry is working on implementing new generation capacities of up to 200 megawatts, along with energy storage systems. The expansion of renewable energy projects, especially wind energy, will contribute to stabilizing the electricity grid.

French Ambassador’s Support for Structural Reforms

In response, Ambassador Cornet-Camon emphasized the importance of adopting structural reforms in the electricity sector. She advocated for strengthening governance, developing a clear master plan, and enhancing the legal framework to attract investments and support the sector’s sustainability.

This meeting marks a crucial step towards revitalizing Yemen’s electricity sector and addressing the pressing energy needs of its citizens.

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