Renewable Energy: A sustainable chance for Yemen [Archives:2002/38/Health]

ELLEN VON ZITZEWITZ
INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENT EXPORT
MINISTRY OF TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENT
The Ministry of Tourism & Environment and the Environment Protection Authority held a workshop on “Climate Change – Renewable Energy” at the 9th of September, 2002 at the Taj Sheba Hotel, Sanaa. Over 80 participants representing government agencies, international organizations, embassies, the private sector and NGOs discussed “Options for today and future potential Renewable Energy as Mitigation measures for climate change”. The workshop was held under the auspices of Prime Minister Mr. Abdul Qader Bajammal and supported by the Global Environmental Facility and UNDP.
The objective of the workshop was to raise awareness about the effects of climate change and renewable energy was achieved through 11 excellent speeches and presentations. The Minister of Tourism and Environment, Mr. Abdul Malik Al Iryani, who led the Yemeni delegation at the World Summit on Sustainable Development, stressed on the importance for Yemen to work on a Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and to promote Renewable Energy development. He emphasized that climate change and the support of Renewable Energy was a main topic during the Johannesburg meeting. His statement was followed by a speech by Mr. James Rawley, Resident Representative of UNDP, who also welcomed the initiative and explained that during the summit, the access to energy sources and poverty eradication was emphasized. He announced that the UNDP program will include experiences from other Arab countries and will be finalized at the end of the year.
Dr. Mohamed Maschjari Chairman of the Environmental Protection Authority underlined the negative impact of climate change on Yemen. A representative of the Ministry of Agriculture Mr. Adel Salam explained that desertification and devastation of arable land as well as water-shortage will be increased, not only through unsustainable irrigation techniques, but also due to increasing temperatures resulting in climate change. Dr. Maschjari mentioned further the need to provide alternative energy sources especially in rural protected areas, such as Jable Bura (one of the last forests in Yemen), to reduce the pressure on the natural vegetation. Mr. Ahmed Zabarah, Managing Director of Technical Supply Centre, one of the leading Yemeni companies in the fields of renewable energy, presented the advantages of renewable energy installations in Yemen, such as less environmental impact and the possibility of decentralized applications. He said that solar and wind-energy installations provide a great opportunity for Yemen where less than 40% of the population has access to regular electrification. During the breaks, he presented available applications such as solar water heaters, sun ovens, wind generators, street lighting systems, solar billboard systems, solar village lighting systems, standard solar home lighting systems, etc..
Eng. Mohamed Alsha’abi, Director for Renewable Energy at the Ministry of Water and Electricity mentioned the facts that Yemen with its 3,500 hours of sun every year is privileged for solar energy generation. Also wind energy can be effectively produced in several areas such as Socotra, the Red Sea coast and some mountainous areas with an average wind speed of 5-40 meter/second. The representative of Sana’a University Prof. Mohamed Ashagdari presented the available programs and curricula on wind and solar technology. He called for more support for local production, research and awareness raising campaigns. His recommendations were also supported by Hussein Mohamed Sarha, of the Ministry of Vocational Training, who presented the cornerstones of the environmental curricula introduced into the basic education. It was emphasized that more effort should be spent on education of environmental friendly technologies in the secondary schools for teachers. Until now, there is still lack of basic facilities needed for training and research. Dr. Hamid Alawadi of the GPC Party expressed the need to incorporate environmental policy into the general policy of Yemen. He also expressed the support of the GPC to increasing the number of renewable energy installations and to develop adequate policy and legal amendments.
Representatives of the Private sector, such as Mr. Ulrich Bartels from the Yemen German Hospital and Mr. Rohit Khosla, General Manager of the Taj Sheba Hotel, supported measures taken to save energy that they said are not only environmentally safer, but also economically profitable. They concluded that new investments into renewable energy technology will be considered in the future. The role of the tourism sector was also emphasized by Mohamed Quaflah. Finally the participants agreed to a number of recommendations such as:
1. Government (legal/ policy):
-To consider Renewable Energy (R/E) business as Investment projects
-To propose a percentage of electricity requirements be met from R/E by the end of the year 2010
-To impose the use of R/E for certain applications
-To adjust customs, taxes and other fees
-EIA, enforcement of environmental laws
2. Government, donors, private sector (financial):
-Financial support for solar energy units
-Encouragement of workshops for making small and simple solar energy units
-Support solar energy projects
-Special credits for investment
3. Government, NGOs (information/ awareness):
-Spread of knowledge of solar energy through media
-Produce awareness material (posters, booklets)
4. Government, university (training):
-To include R/E in the basic education
-To support university, vocational training curricula on R/E
-Train the trainers, provision of facilities
-To encourage students to research in R/E
5. Private sector:
-To increase marketing and promotion activities
-To increase local production of feasible applications
-To support research
-To increase installations (hotels, hospitals…)
6. NGOs:
-To increase political demands and present policy
-To increase awareness
-To work on local installations
Anwar Noaman, Head of Climate Change Unit: The fact that during the workshop national and international participants discussed together the problem of climate change and renewable Energy, shows the great interest the topic has gained. We are now looking forward to implement the recommendations.
Mohamed Shamsan, General Director for Environmental Affairs, Ministry of Tourism and Environment added: I am very pleased about the successful cooperation between the Ministry, the Authority, other government agencies and the private sector in this field. This shows how public private partnership can operate in Yemen. As a result of this, we have clear recommendations for the government authorities, private sector, NGOs and others. We are looking forward to the joint implementation and significant increase of renewable energy installations.
Ellen von Zitzewitz, an international environment expert working with the Ministry of Tourism and Environment concluded: “I expect that the workshop will support the increase of Renewable Energy Installations in Yemen. International organizations, embassies, hotels, hospitals should go ahead and demonstrate sustainable and cost effective options”.

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