TAIZ,Yemen — Tragic explosion in Taiz last week has highlighted dangers of alternative energy in a country struggling with power outages. Blast happened early,sparked by a lithium battery from a solar power setup . Many in the city rely on these systems to cope with the energy crisis.
Najib Abdullah's home went up in flames after explosion,neighbors rushed in to help douse fire. They saved several people, but injuries were severe . Victims taken to Al-Thawra General Hospital,biggest facility for burns. A mother and her two children died. Father critical.
Dr. Mohammed Saeed, head of emergency at the hospital,says this isn't isolated. His unit often treats burn victims from battery explosions. "We don’t know exact technical reasons for these fires,but we get many patients from Taiz and nearby areas," he said. In first half of this year,2,729 cases recorded,13 deaths.
In Taiz and other areas,where electricity grid is nearly non-existent,residents face choice: expensive generators or solar energy. Solar option is risky,especially without professional help. Many install systems themselves,ignoring safety.
Besides solar risks, cooking gas as fuel alternative also causes dangers. Ammar Saleh,40,recovering from fire,modified his car to use cooking gas due to high petrol prices . Petrol costs 1,500 Yemeni Riyals ($0.95) per liter,cooking gas only 500 Riyals ($0.30). This price gap pushes drivers to risky modifications.
Saleh's brother,Mohammed,admits many,including him,didn't grasp risks. "I didn’t think it was that dangerous; more a matter of fate," he said. Situation turned bad when lighter was flicked while Saleh was refueling with gas, igniting a fire that hurt his son.
Yemeni authorities are tackling vehicle fire rise by holding workshops to raise awareness about unregulated conversions. But underground market persists,mechanics secretly modify engines. Malik Al-Sabri,police official in Taiz,said battery incidents make up 30-40% of fires in area.
Al-Sabri stressed need for regulation,saying, "Fire incidents up due to alternative energy hazards,especially improper solar systems and unregulated cooking gas vehicle conversions." Civil Defence in Taiz now bans unauthorized conversions, enforces safety measures.
Electrical engineer Dawood Abdullah warned that while solar energy is safe,bad installations are risky. "Solar energy isn't dangerous, but families install systems themselves without engineers,leading to errors," he said. Warned against storing batteries in homes,urged use of quality materials.
Ramez Nabil,media officer for Yemeni Green Media Center, supports solar as clean solution. Called it "emergency salvation" for homes,businesses. But urged public education on safe solar use,noting economic struggles lead to use of poor materials, unqualified installers.
As Yemen battles energy crisis,push for alternatives like solar and cooking gas remains risky. Safety awareness and regulation more urgent than ever...
