Wind farms in Yemen: Ending the country’s electricity shortage
With the rise of impact investing and the growing awareness of climate change effects, renewable energy investments have been exploding worldwide. In Yemen, the need for clean energy resources is even direr, as most of the population lacks access to electricity. That is why we, in Organic Yemen (OY), believe that Yemen can be the next frontier for wind power investments.
To help turn our vision into reality, we support our partners by developing feasibility studies for large-scale wind farms. We also work with smaller organizations on small-scale wind turbine projects that can serve small cities and aid rural development.
In this article, we explain the reasons why we think Yemen is the perfect place for wind farm investments, explore the country’s previous endeavours in the wind power sector and detail the several ways OY can support your wind power projects in Yemen. But first, let’s address the biggest question:
Why wind farm investment in Yemen?
1. A global business trend
In 2020, the global wind energy industry has reached an all-time high, with 93 GW new installations. While this represents a 53% annual increase, investments in wind power still need to triple by 2030 to meet climate targets, according to the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC). This leaves a great opportunity for more investments and expansions in the wind power sector.
2. A domestic source of energy
Wind is a domestic source of energy, which does not make Yemen dependent on imports from other countries. Solar energy has already changed the lives of over half of all Yemenis that use solar power for lighting, and wind power can have the same life-changing impacts on the Yemeni community.
3. A local market with dire needs
Yemen has been witnessing a combination of an ongoing war, famine and natural disasters. Add the COVID-19 consequences and the result is the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.
With the majority of the Yemeni population deprived of reliable access to electricity, the country still exports its oil and gas production to help the struggling economy. This creates a giant opportunity for wind farm investments in Yemen.
4. A country with proven technical potential
Yemen is not only the country where electricity is much needed, but also the country with some of the windiest locations in the world. Yemen's western shoreline, from Bab Al-Mandab to Al-Mokha, rates among the windiest corridors worldwide.
Overall, Yemen’s coastal plains and some of its mountain areas have excellent wind conditions, with wind speeds that exceed 7.5 m/s. Combine that with power densities of over 200 w/m². The result is a total technical potential of 14,200 MW, providing about 42,300 GWh of electricity per year.
5. Another income stream for Yemeni farmers
With minimal space needed for wind turbines to operate, farmers can generate extra income by renting a fraction of their land. Meanwhile, they can still work the land and raise livestock.
Old Walled City of Shibam, Yemen © Editions Gelbart
6. Another way to revitalize tourism in Yemen
Yemen has four locations inscribed on the World Heritage List and ten other sites on the Tentative List. However most of these are remote places that lack access to electricity and thus do not generate the most needed income for the country.
Wind farms can enhance recreational values by improving public access to such historic places and other tourist attractions. Even roads are usually upgraded to allow for transporting wind farm components. Such upgrades will in turn boost Yemen’s image as a tourist destination.
7. You don’t just invest, you impact
By investing in wind farm projects in Yemen, you help achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. These include:
Affordable and Clean Energy (goal number 7)
Economic Growth (goal number 8)
Sustainable Cities (goal number 11)
Climate Action (goal number 13)
Yemen’s wind farms: the history
The MoEE has been studying the country’s wind power technical potential for years to date. This ongoing research has already produced some great resources on wind energy potential in Yemen, including the 2006 report by the German Lahmeyer International engineering company, which we relied on for previously mentioned data in this article.
The Mocha wind farm project in Yemen
Some large-scale wind projects have been proposed before in Yemen. One of those is the 60MW Mocha Wind Farm project, planned by the MoEE. The project plan included the construction of a powerhouse, a substation and other related infrastructure facilities, as well as the installation of wind turbines, generators and transformers.
The World Bank has funded US$20 million for the project. Other grants were supposed to come from the Arab Fund for Social and Economic Development, OPEC Fund for International Development and the Saudi Fund for Development.
The MoEE issued a tender in 2015, only to cancel it after a few months due to the ongoing war in Yemen.
Yemen’s wind farms: the future
In Organic Yemen, we believe that as ambitious the Mocha project is, it is too huge and unrealistic given the current situation in Yemen. That is why we recommend investing in smaller wind farms, in the 10-20 MW range. These could power local cities and support rural development.
What you need for a wind farm investment in Yemen
1. The right equipment for large-scale wind farms
Organic Yemen recommends 1.5 MW turbines for wind farms, and smaller, 10 KW turbines, for homes and business uses. We also recommend dealing with the world’s top wind turbine suppliers. As per GWEC’s 2020 rankings, these include Vestas, GE Renewable Energy, Goldwind, Envision and Siemens Gamesa.
A timelapse of a 1.5 MW wind turbine installation at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory
2. Reliable history of wind measurements
Profitable investments are always based on reliable data. Before starting a wind farm project, at least three years of detailed readings are needed at the project site or a nearby location. In the past, large towers were used to survey wind information. Today, we recommend Lidars, such as ZX Lidar devices, which are the size of an office fridge but can take readings at several levels.
For initial studies, using professional-grade weather station data is sufficient, as wind speeds can be extrapolated at higher elevations using these data. Thanks to the company’s wide network of weather stations across Yemen’s governorates, Organic Yemen can provide such data immediately upon your request.
ZX 300 Wind Lidar
3. Environmental impact assessment
In addition to wind speed and densities, it is advised to assess the environmental impacts of your wind farm projects in Yemen. With our experience in environmental monitoring, Organic Yemen can help you do that.
4. Studying the potential of joining power to local grid
Another factor to take into consideration before investing in wind farm projects is the potential of joining power to the local grid. And that is another aspect where Organic Yemen can support you. So, here is:
How Organic Yemen can help wind energy investors
Organic Yemen services and solutions for wind power investments
1. Feasibility studies for wind power investments
With our experienced team, several local and international expert partners and our network of weather data stations, we provide feasibility studies based on accurate and reliable wind information and other weather-related data.
2. Ready-to-use data and data analysis
Organic Yemen has several weather stations across the country, as well as strong relationships with local research centers. This allows the company to provide you with all the needed information to back your investments and guide your business decisions.
3. Customized data collection sites
Besides our already established weather stations, we are ready to build and operate new measuring stations as per your specific needs. That way we ensure the most accurate wind data tailored particularly for your project.
4. Strong network of local and international partners
Organic Yemen has ongoing partnership agreements with several local and international parties, which makes us your best partner for wind data collection and analysis. We can connect you to the right partners for impact investing in wind power in Yemen.
5. Consultation services
We are ready to offer consultation services based on your specific project plans. Contact us and let’s see how we can cooperate.