Qatar Initiates Natural Gas Supply to Syria to Address Electricity Shortages

Qatar has initiated the supply of natural gas to Syria through Jordan to alleviate electricity shortages. This agreement facilitates daily production of 400 megawatts of electricity at the Deir Ali power plant and aims to distribute it across various cities, significantly addressing the country’s energy needs. The project reflects a collaborative effort involving the United Nations.

Qatar has commenced supplying natural gas to Syria via Jordan to address the country’s severe electricity shortages. According to state news agency QNA, this initiative is part of a deal established in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme and Jordan. The initiative aims to generate 400 megawatts of electricity daily and will gradually increase production at the Deir Ali power plant in Syria.

The generated electricity will be distributed across several cities in Syria, including the capital Damascus, as well as Rif Dimashq, As Suwayda, Daraa, Al Qunaitra, Homs, Hama, Tartous, Latakia, Aleppo, and Deir ez-Zur. This partnership embodies a collective effort to enhance energy availability for the population, as articulated in a statement from Fahad Hamad Hassan Al-Sulaiti, head of the Qatar Fund for Development.

Since the ousting of former President Bashar al-Assad in December, the interim authorities in Syria have faced significant challenges in providing adequate electricity to civilians, a situation exacerbated by over 13 years of civil conflict that has devastated national infrastructure. Additionally, Damascus had relied on oil imports from Iran for power generation, which were halted following the political changes.

Qatar’s initiative to supply natural gas to Syria signifies an important step towards enhancing the nation’s energy supply, particularly amidst ongoing power shortages. Through a collaborative agreement involving Jordan and the United Nations, this plan aims to restore critical electricity generation capacities in key Syrian cities, thereby supporting the population’s energy needs. As Syria continues to recover from extensive infrastructural damages due to conflict, this initiative demonstrates a notable commitment among involved parties to improve the living conditions for the Syrian people.

Original Source: www.aljazeera.com