Syria aims to maximize the effective use of its competitive renewable energy sources and geographical advantages following the devastating impact of years of war on its energy sector.
According to data from the International Energy Agency (IEA), the average per capita electricity consumption in Syria decreased by 35% between 2000 and 2022.
The Syrian energy sector has faced severe damage since 2011, with the energy capacity plummeting to about 9,000 megawatts in 2012, as reported by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
Since 2011, 15 out of 39 energy facilities have been destroyed, while 10 have sustained partial damage. Additionally, more than half of the country's electricity infrastructure and transmission lines have been rendered inoperative.
The damage to Syria's electricity sector is estimated at approximately $40 billion in direct costs and $80 billion in indirect costs.
Syria's electricity generation from clean sources has also been limited. A 2021 draft law for utilizing renewable energy sources aimed to harness the country's solar and wind potential, but it has only resulted in the generation of 100 megawatts of solar energy. Nevertheless, Syria has significant potential for solar energy production due to its geographical location, boasting around 300 sunny days per year.
According to a study conducted by ScienceDirect, Syria’s wind energy potential is estimated at about 80,000 megawatts. The country's proven oil reserves are around 7 billion barrels, and recent discoveries indicate that Syria's oil and gas belt extends from the northeast to the southwest.
Oil accounts for approximately 57.3% of Syria’s electricity production, while natural gas contributes 38.4%. Hydropower makes up 3.8%, and solar energy’s share is less than 0.5%, based on data from the IEA.
Syria's natural gas production fell by 53% between 2000 and 2022, while oil production decreased by 24%. Overall, oil constitutes 78.1% of Syria's energy consumption, and the country relies on oil imports for about 69% of its energy needs.
