Syria seeks over $30bn to rebuild energy infrastructure, says official - As-salamu alaykum
As-salamu alaykum. Syria is looking for more than $30 billion to fully restore its oil, mineral, electricity and water infrastructure, a senior energy ministry official said. The electricity sector alone needs urgent attention, with an estimated $10 billion required.
Ahmed Sleiman, communications director at the Ministry of Energy, said the power system needs a full rebuild - transmission and distribution lines, meter installations, and generation plants. He spoke about these needs during an international energy summit attended by Syria’s minister of energy, Mohammed Al Bashir, who took office in March. The minister met regional and global figures to discuss partnerships and investment chances.
The Syrian delegation held talks this week with industry leaders from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the US and Europe to encourage cooperation on rebuilding energy and water infrastructure. Sleiman said many local, regional and international companies expressed readiness to invest in Syria, and discussions centred on maintenance and development of oil, electricity and water systems.
Years of conflict have badly damaged Syria’s electricity network: grids are degraded, many plants are worn out, and fuel shortages are common. Reports indicate more than 70% of power plants and transmission lines were significantly damaged and grid capacity has fallen sharply, leaving many households without steady electricity. Oil and gas production, once a large share of government revenue, also declined sharply since 2011, worsening fiscal gaps.
Syria expects to raise crude and gas output back toward pre-war levels. Officials say more than 2,500 wells need rehabilitation to restore higher oil production, and the country aims to boost gas output to supply power turbines fully.
Since sanctions were lifted by the US this year, Damascus has stepped up efforts to re-enter world markets. In September, Syria exported an officially recognised crude shipment for the first time in 14 years. The country is also exploring reviving regional pipelines and has been working on the Arab Gas Pipeline link via Jordan, importing gas and upgrading connections inside Syria.
A World Bank grant of $146 million approved in June aims to help restore reliable, affordable electricity by rehabilitating high-voltage lines and strengthening grid links with neighbouring countries. The ministry says this is helpful but modest compared with the tens of billions needed; grant procedures take time, so Syria is seeking other partners and regional cooperation to bring in capital and connectivity.
Sleiman expressed hope that the meetings will soon turn into real investment on the ground, insha'Allah, and that the projects will benefit the Syrian people. He named several international and regional firms that have been part of discussions, and said invitations have been extended for investors to visit Syria to assess conditions firsthand.
Recent announcements include memoranda and agreements to develop new power plants and solar capacity, showing momentum toward rebuilding the power sector. While the funding gap remains large, officials remain optimistic that partnerships and investment will accelerate reconstruction efforts.
May Allah grant relief and ease to the people affected, and may these projects help restore services and livelihoods across Syria.
https://www.thenationalnews.co