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) is supporting the Baweizer Ice and Fish Preservation Factory, established privately in 2006, in partnership with local organization the Small and Micro Enterprises Promotion Service (SMEPS).
The factory is located in the coastal city of Al-Ghaydah, located in Yemen’s Al Mahra Governorate. 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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.