Physical security framework for power plants in Yemen

Abstract

This study aims to design a framework for physical security measures for Marib power plant in Yemen to protect it from the physical attacks. Power plants are very important infrastructures and electricity is very essential in all aspects of human life, and it is obvious that power plants must have a good security protection from attack. Physical security is the first layer in power plants security. In Yemen, there are 18 power plants that generate around 1268.05MW of electricity, such that 835.5MW is generated using steam and gas and 432.55 using Diesel. Marib Power Plant is the largest station in Yemen, it is providing 341 MW and 27% of the electricity. Moreover, Marib Power Plant supplies electricity to Sana’a, the capital city of Yemen, and other neighboring areas. However, Marib Power Plant faces many physical attacks, whicharethe local armed tribesman, bombing and sabotage. According to the reports from Ministry of Electricity, these attacks caused many social, political and economic problems for the citizens and government. Therefore, this study shows that (Deterrence, Detection, Delay, Response and Army role) can be effective factors to reduce the attacks on Marib Power Plant. The validation of this framework was conducted in two ways: firstly by conducting an interview with experts in Marib Power Plant, and secondly by hypotheses testing between the components of the framework.