Yemen is one of the poorest countries in the world and less than 20 percent of the country’s rural population has access to electric service. Since 2005, NRECA International has been engaged in the design, development and implementation of an ambitious national rural electrification program with financial support from multilateral donors, the Government of Yemen, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency and the USAID and the NRECA International Foundation.
As part of the initial rural electrification strategy, NRECA International recommended the establishment of the General Authority for Rural Electricity (GARE), an autonomous national rural electrification agency, and development of local rural electric service providers. NRECA International has provided technical assistance to the Ministry of Electricity and Energy to develop the legal framework and business plan for the creation of GARE, a related fund to finance rural electrification program investments and the first local electric cooperative service provider in the Ibb governorate. This assistance has contributed to preparations for the Rural Energy Access Project (REAP), a multi-donor initiative that will establish new rural electric service providers in 27 distinct service territories, delivering the benefits of electricity to over six million people living in rural areas.
NRECA International has also evaluated the appropriate institutional framework for delivery and financing of off-grid renewable energy services and markets, and assisted the Power V rural electrification program to identify feasible distribution line extensions using a Geographic Information System (GIS).
NRECA International will continue to provide technical assistance to further develop rural electric service providers in Yemen, including training to utility operational personnel, management, and members of the Board of Directors.
Program Accomplishments
- Developed national rural electrification strategy
- Designed legal framework for new rural electrification agency and rural electric cooperatives
- Supporting community establishment of the first electric cooperative in Yemen
- Developed institutional framework for off grid renewable energy service delivery
- Developed project identification GIS for the Power V rural electrification program