Saudi Arabia launches new energy and water project for Yemen
Solar-powered development will benefit 1.7 million people in country’s largest governorate
Saudi Arabia launched a renewable energy and water security project on Wednesday that will benefit 1.7 million people in Hadhramaut, the largest governorate in Yemen.
The new scheme “will contribute to enhancing water sources in a sustainable manner through the use of solar energy technologies,” Abdullah bin Kadasa of the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen told Arab News.
The project is a partnership between the program and the Selah Foundation for Development. The partnership agreement was signed in Riyadh on Wednesday.
Solar power stations will be established in nine areas to provide the energy required to improve the availability and supply of water. Training and capacity building will also be provided to ensure local technicians can operate and maintain the solar equipment.
The Saudi program has more than 229 active development projects in Yemen, helping to improve the lives and livelihoods of people across the country. They span eight sectors, including education, health, water, transport and agriculture.
The development program and the foundation previously partnered with the Arab Gulf Program for Development on other renewable energy projects to help improve the quality of life of an estimated 62,000 people in five of Yemen’s governorates. And in January, the two organizations launched a water security project that aims to benefit about 800,000 people in Aden.
On the Yemeni island of Socotra, the development program’s projects help meet about 50 percent of water needs, 100 percent in AlGhaydah, and 10 percent in Aden.