LocationsPreserving fresh Yemeni fish with green energy
June 5, 2025
An aerial photo of Baweizer Ice and Fish Preservation Factory in Al-Ghaydah, Al Mahra Governorate, Yemen.
In the coastal city of Al-Ghaydah, located in Yemen’s Al Mahra Governorate, the Baweizer Ice and Fish Preservation Factory has long been a cornerstone of the local fishing industry. Established privately in 2006, the factory was founded with a clear mission to provide reliable ice production for local fisherfolk, ensuring their catch remains fresh and marketable. Situated in a governorate rich in fishery resources, the factory played a vital role for years in supporting the livelihoods of the community, helping sustain businesses and feed families.
As time passed, the factory faced mounting challenges. Climate change, rising fuel costs, and frequent energy shortages began to strain its operations. These obstacles threatened not only the factory’s survival but also the economic stability of the fishing community it served. The need for a sustainable solution became urgent.
The factory was recently supported with a grant through the Sustainable Fisheries Development Project in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (SFISH) funded by the World Bank and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with local organization the Small and Micro Enterprises Promotion Service (SMEPS). A shift toward renewable energy and environmentally sustainable practices has not only improved operational efficiency but also significantly reduced the factory’s environmental footprint, positioning it as a local model for climate-conscious innovation in the fisheries sector.
A worker is carrying fresh fish before packaging it in ice-filled plastic containers.
Workers during the process of packing the fresh fish in ice-filled plastic containers.
Turning challenges into opportunities
In 2023, the SFISH team conducted a comprehensive assessment of the Baweizer Factory, identifying its challenges and potential for growth. Later that year, Abdullah Bawazeir, the local businessman who initially established the factory, participated in a five-day training program in Al-Ghaydah City, where he gained essential skills in crisis management, quality control, and sustainable business practices. This training equipped him with the tools needed to navigate the factory’s challenges and plan for a resilient future.
Abdullah collaborated closely with SFISH project consultants to develop a robust business continuity plan. A key component of this plan was the adoption of renewable energy, specifically solar power, to reduce the factory’s reliance on costly and unreliable diesel generators. Initially hesitant, Abdullah soon recognized the potential of this innovative approach. With the support of a USD $12,000 grant from the SFISH Project, he invested in a solar energy system for the factory.
SFISH project consultant engaging in discussion with factory staff.
Harnessing solar energy for sustainable growth
By October 2023, the Baweizer Factory had successfully installed a 125 kVA solar energy system, marking a significant milestone in its journey toward sustainability. The newly installed system now supplies 25% of the factory’s total energy demand, delivering immediate, tangible impacts:
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions: The transition to green energy at the Baweizer Ice and Fish Preservation Factory has not only enhanced operational efficiency but also significantly reduced its environmental footprint. By shifting to a renewable energy system, the factory now achieves an estimated annual reduction of 46.9 tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, primarily in the form of carbon dioxide (CO₂). This milestone underscores the factory’s role in mitigating the impacts of climate change and reinforces its position as a model for sustainable practices in Yemen’s fisheries sector.
Significant cost reductions: Switching to renewable energy has reduced the Baweizer Factory’s monthly energy costs by USD $875, cutting overall energy expenses by 25%. These savings are helping boost operational sustainability and financial resilience.
Improved operational resilience: Reduced reliance on external fuel sources has minimized production disruptions, ensuring a stable and continuous supply of ice to support local fisherfolk.
An aerial photo of the solar panels of the Factory in Al-Ghaydah, Al Mahra Governorate, Yemen.
The inverter system room, equipped with essential safety gear.
Economic empowerment and job creation: Upgrades to the facility have generated three new employment opportunities, two maintenance technicians and one site security officer, contributing to local economic growth. Additionally, fisherfolk from the surrounding areas have come to rely on the facility’s ice production to preserve the quality of their catch. The availability of ice has helped them transport fish without spoilage, extend its shelf life, and ultimately sustain their livelihoods more effectively.
A worker is packing the fresh fish in ice-filled plastic containers.
A model for sustainable innovation
Today, the Baweizer Ice and Fish Preservation Factory is an example of how innovation and sustainability can drive progress, and how private and public sector interventions complement each other. By embracing solar energy, the factory has secured its future and inspired other businesses in the fishing industry to explore renewable energy solutions.
Abdullah reflects on this achievement with pride:
“The support from the SFISH Project funded by the World Bank was invaluable. Thanks to their guidance and the training we received, we became the first company in Al-Mahra to adopt solar energy. This has not only reduced our costs but also strengthened our resilience.”
A worker filling a sack with ice.
Ice sacks are stored inside an insulated vehicle.
A community vision is realized
The factory’s transformation has had a ripple effect across the community. Local fisherfolk can now rely on a steady supply of ice to preserve their catch, ensuring higher quality and better market prices. Additionally, the shift to solar energy has reduced the factory’s carbon footprint, contributing to environmental sustainability in a region extremely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
What began as a modest ice production facility in 2006 has evolved into a model for sustainable practices in Al-Mahra. With support from UNDP thanks to the World Bank, Abdullah has turned challenges into opportunities, paving the way for a brighter, more sustainable future for his business and the community it serves.
Fresh fish in ice-filled plastic containers.
More information: Sustainable Fishery Development in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden
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