Khaberni - Adnan Al-Kaaf, the Minister of Electricity and Energy in the internationally recognized Yemeni government, said that the government is seriously working to reactivate the bilateral electric linkage project between Yemen and Saudi Arabia, given its significant strategic importance for Yemen and its economic feasibility which serves the electricity needs of both countries.
Al-Kaaf explained that the ministry has re-proposed the electric linkage project to the competent authorities in the Kingdom, adding that it is an old project that was neglected due to the political situation in Yemen.
In mid-2017, the Yemeni Ministry of Electricity and Energy signed a memorandum of understanding with the Gulf Electrical Link Authority in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, to study the possibility of electrical connection between the two sides.
Yemen has been suffering from a severe shortage of electrical power since the outbreak of the war in early 2015, with the infrastructure of the power stations either deteriorating or completely ceasing to function, and a decline in production capacity compared to the actual need, along with a deficit in providing fuel and spare parts, and the high operating costs.
Official reports indicate that the government spends approximately 1.2 billion dollars annually, at a rate of 100 million dollars per month, to provide fuel and rent power generation stations, but revenues only cover the costs by reaching 50 million dollars.
Al-Kaaf said, "The direct grid connection project with the Kingdom will be implemented with three provinces, Shabwah, Hadramawt, and Al Mahrah, where this will help provide electric current to these coastal provinces overlooking the Arabian Sea, and will solve a major problem in losing the ability to generate electricity locally."
He confirmed that if the Saudi authorities approve the network connection, a permanent power supply will be available for the three provinces with a capacity ranging between 500 to 1000 megawatts, explaining that the fuel and energy designated for these provinces will be transferred to Aden and consequently stabilize the electricity situation in the seven southern and eastern provinces, namely Aden, Lahij, Abyan, Dhalea, Shabwah, Hadramawt, and Al Mahrah.
Regarding the return of long hours of blackouts with the onset of summer, the minister said, "The electricity sector faces great challenges and difficulties accumulated over years and the load rate of electrical power in Aden has increased with urban expansion and large population density, plus the deterioration of infrastructure due to years of suffering, compounded by the effects of the Houthi war."
Al-Kaaf explained that the total power needed by Aden exceeds 600 megawatts while the stations produce less than 250 megawatts daily, which is approximately only 35% of the needs, leading to an increase in blackout hours with the onset of the summer season and rising loads.
He mentioned that disputes among various political parties and components under the umbrella of the Yemeni government have significantly affected the economic conditions and services in Aden, especially electricity.
Residents say that the number of blackout hours in Aden and southern provinces has risen to 18 hours daily as the summer season approaches.
Regarding Saudi support for the electricity sector, the Yemeni Minister of Electricity confirmed that the Kingdom provides significant support to this vital sector, starting from supplying it with fuel to operate power stations sufficient until the end of the year, in addition to contracting with four power generation stations with a total capacity of 350 megawatts.
