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Syrian Energy Minister Mohammed al-Bashir expressed strong interest in partnering with Turkish firms in Syria’s post-conflict reconstruction, as Damascus actively seeks international investment across its energy sector, particularly in exploration and mining.
“Syriais opentoinvestmentsinall segments of theenergysector,” said al-Bashir in an interview while in Istanbul for the Natural Resources Summit.
“Theseinclude opportunitiesinexploration, drilling, refining, and transmissioninthe oil and gas sector, as well as the rehabilitationof power lines and plants, the reconstructionof refineries, and mining activities,” he added.
PraisingTürkiye’s long-standing support forSyria, theSyrianministerhighlighted recent Turkish effortstoprovide electricitytonorthernSyria. “We are abouttosign an agreement for a 400-kilovolt transmissionline extending fromTürkiyeintoSyria,” he said.
“Additionally, we are workingtorehabilitate the natural gas pipeline connecting Kilis and Aleppo,” he added. “Once operational, it could supply 6 millioncubic meters (211.9 million cubic feet) of gas per daytoSyria’s power generationstations, significantly improving ourenergysituation.”
TheSyrianenergyministersaid preparations are underway for a new transmissionline betweenTürkiye’s Reyhanli andSyria’s Harem region, through which around 80 megawatts of electricity will be deliveredtonorthernSyriaonce the tender process is completed.
NotingSyria’s preparationtolaunch a series ofinvestment projectsinthe oil and gas sector, al-Bashir also underlinedplanstodevelop the country’s mining sector, focusingonphosphate and lithium. Recalling TurkishEnergyand Natural ResourcesMinisterAlparslan Bayraktar’s call for offshore natural gas explorationduring their discussions, Al-Bashir said that both countries will sign a framework agreement for broaderenergycooperation.
Syria’senergyinfrastructure has been devastated by over a decade of civil war, resultinginwidespread damagetooil facilities, power plants, and transmissionlines.
Onceone of thetop oil and gas producersinthe eastern Mediterranean,Syriahas seen output collapse. Oil productionhas fallen from 383,000 barrels per day and natural gas output from 316 millioncubic feet per daytoa fractionof those levels, accordingtothe USEnergyInformationAdministration. With exports halted, a major source of government revenue has largely dried up.
Since 2017,Türkiyehas been supplying electricity and fueltoregionsinnorthernSyria.
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