Renewable energy solutions to the lack of access to electricity in conflict-ridden countries: A case study of Yemen

This paper mainly aims, on the one hand, to analyze the impact of the war and incessant conflicts on access to electricity in Yemen and, on the other hand, to reveal the effect of war and foreign aid on renewable energy generation in this conflict-ridden country over the period 1990–2021, using the ARDL model and structural breaks analysis. The main findings indicate that the 2015 war and bitter, enduring conflicts that force Yemenis to adapt to new, uncongenial, and difficult conditions increase electricity access and give rise to renewable energy generation. An increase of 1 % in conflicts sparks a 2.07 % increase in electricity access in Yemen. In fact, Yemen's War has fueled a renewable energy boom that even stable Arab countries themselves have not witnessed. This giant stride would not have been achieved in normal circumstances, to say the least. The results also indicate that foreign aid is increasingly playing a proactive role in boosting renewable energy generation and making electricity more accessible and affordable for Yemenis. It goes without saying that foreign aid that targets the development of renewables is the most effective solution for bringing war-torn countries out of energy poverty.