UAE-based company Global South Utilities has made significant contributions to Yemen’s electricity sector by commissioning the Shabwah Solar Power Plant and expanding the Aden Solar Power Plant in collaboration with Yemen’s Ministry of Electricity and Energy.
According to GSU, a part of Abu Dhabi’s Resources Investment, the Shabwah Solar Power Plant is now operational, supplying clean electricity to around 330,000 households. Meanwhile, the Aden Solar Power Plant is set to provide power to 687,000 households upon its completion in 2026.
Together, these two projects will deliver clean electricity to over one million homes, marking the largest initiative of its kind in Yemen’s clean power sector.
On August 28, GSU inaugurated the Shabwah Solar Power Plant in Ataq, Shabwah Governorate, which has a generation capacity of 53 megawatts and a 15 MWh battery storage system.
Located near Ataq University, the facility is expected to produce approximately 118,642 MWh of clean electricity annually, thereby reducing carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 62,727 tonnes each year, equivalent to the emissions from tens of thousands of cars.
The infrastructure includes 85,644 solar panels, six transformer stations, a central monitoring and control building, and a 15-kilometer overhead transmission line connecting the plant to the national grid via 51 towers.
Electricity generated from the plant will fully meet the needs of Ataq City and six surrounding districts—Al-Saeed, Al-Musayni’ah, Jardan, Nisab, Markhah, and Habban—powering homes, schools, and healthcare facilities while fostering local economic growth.
On the same day, GSU launched the second phase of the Aden Solar Power Plant in Bir Ahmed, adding 120 MW of capacity to the current output. Upon completion in 2026, the plant’s total capacity will reach 240 MW, making it the largest solar power project in Yemen.
This second phase alone will generate about 247,000 MWh of electricity annually and reduce approximately 142,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year. Combined with Phase One, total annual emission reductions will reach about 285,000 tonnes, equivalent to removing over 85,000 cars from the road. The expansion includes installing over 194,000 solar panels, which will enhance energy security and improve air quality.
Ali Al Shimmari, Managing Director and CEO of GSU, told WAM: “Delivering clean and reliable electricity to more than one million homes in Aden and Shabwah is not just an engineering achievement, but a vital step towards improving people’s lives and strengthening economic and social stability. These projects reflect our vision of connecting communities to sustainable development opportunities and placing renewable energy at the heart of growth.”
He added that investment in renewable energy is essential for improving quality of life, reducing dependence on fuel imports, and enhancing resilience to climate change.
