Yemen Commissions 53 MW Solar Plant in Shabwa, Boosting Electricity Access for Rural Communities

Yemen  has inaugurated a 53 MW solar power plant in southeastern Shabwa Governorate, a move expected to significantly ease electricity shortages in the region.

Covering roughly 600,000 square meters near Ataq, the facility will supply clean and stable electricity to more than 330,000 rural homes. The project marks the second UAE-backed renewable energy initiative in southern Yemen, following the 120 MW Al-Buraiqah solar plant in Aden, which powers over 70,000 households. Authorities say similar plants are planned in Taiz and Socotra, aiming to expand renewable access across the country’s south.

For residents, the impact is tangible. Abdullah Salem, a father of four in Ataq, said the plant allows him to save money previously spent on diesel for generators. “It feels like a new beginning,” he said. 

Officials framed the project as part of a broader effort to rebuild Yemen’s energy infrastructure and reduce dependence on costly, diesel-powered grids, which have struggled amid decades of conflict.

Energy experts say these initiatives reflect a long-term strategy. “By reducing dependence on diesel and fuel imports, these solar plants strengthen energy security and support broader development in southern Yemen,” said Samir Al-Ahmadi, an energy economist in Aden.

Yemen’s rural areas have long faced chronic blackouts due to conflict-damaged infrastructure and fuel shortages. Renewable projects like the Shabwa plant aim to provide lasting solutions for communities historically cut off from reliable electricity.