Syria to sign deal to import electricity from Turkey, minister says
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Syria is preparing to finalize a power deal with Turkey and build a gas pipeline to Aleppo to ease its ongoing energy crisis, according to Energy Minister Mohamed al-Bashir.
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A worker operates a makeshift refinery on the outskirts of Qamishli, northeast Syria, on March 22, 2025. (AP)
Syria is preparing to sign an agreement to import electricity from Turkey via a 400-kilovolt transmission line connecting the two countries, according to Syrian state media.
The deal, which is expected to be finalized soon, was confirmed by Syrian Energy Minister Mohamed al-Bashir on Sunday.
In addition to the electricity deal, Syria is also working on a natural gas pipeline project linking the Turkish border town of Kilis to Aleppo in northern Syria. The pipeline will supply up to 6 million cubic meters of gas per day to power plants across Syria.
“This project will contribute to improving the country’s energy situation,” al-Bashir said, highlighting the potential impact on Syria’s strained electricity grid.
Syria continues to suffer from severe power shortages due to years of war and infrastructure damage. That said, the Syria-Turkey electricity deal and the Aleppo gas pipeline could alleviate the country's energy crisis and restore essential services to its population.
Turkey eyes role in Syria's energy sector
Turkey had announced plans in January to construct a gas pipeline to Aleppo, Syria, aiming to address the severe energy shortages in the war-torn region.
Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar stated on January 30 that the pipeline construction is expected to take 12 to 15 months, while efforts to restore electricity infrastructure, including power lines, will take at least six months.
Aleppo, one of Syria's largest cities, requires around 2,000 MW of electricity, but much of the infrastructure was damaged during the war. Bayraktar outlined a plan to boost electricity supply to northern Syria by 50%, with 500 MW transferred via power lines, while the rest will come from gas-powered plants that require repairs.
"We are planning to increase electricity transferred to northern Syria by 50% ... 500 MW will be transferred via power lines, and the rest will be provided by gas power plants, that need to be repaired. However, the plants need gas, so we are now working on a 50-60 kilometer [31-37 mile] long gas pipeline to Aleppo," CNN Turk quoted Bayraktar as saying.
