Syria’s Electricity Crisis: A Battle Against Fuel Shortages and Infrastructure Damage
Syria’s electricity crisis has worsened post-regime change as severe fuel shortages limit electricity supply to just two to three hours daily. The new government aims to increase this to eight hours but lacks the infrastructure and investment necessary for recovery. Efforts from Turkey and Qatar to provide power have met skepticism, and the nation faces significant challenges in its energy sector due to ongoing sanctions and geopolitical complexities.
Syria’s electricity crisis has intensified due to ongoing fuel shortages, compounded by a devastated infrastructure from years of civil war. Since the regime change late last year, under new President Ahmed Al Shara, electricity supply has been limited to just two to three hours daily in most regions. The goal is to increase availability to eight hours a day, but experts caution that achieving this target may take longer than anticipated.
The civil war has severely damaged Syria’s energy infrastructure, resulting in a decline in power generation from 46.4 gigawatt-hours in 2010 to just 20.1 gigawatt-hours in 2022. The majority of Syria’s electricity is generated by thermal plants that rely on oil and natural gas. Additionally, frequent outages have led citizens to depend on diesel generators, aggravating fuel shortages.
Turkey and Qatar plan to deploy floating power-supply vessels to assist Syria, but experts express doubts about the effectiveness of this solution due to extensive damage to the existing electrical grid. Despite some electricity supply from Turkey to northern regions, consistency has been a significant issue. Turkish officials have indicated interest in supporting Syria’s energy sector but face political and economic hurdles.
Further complexities arise from the control of Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) over crucial northeastern oil fields. This situation is compounded by the potential impact of U.S. troop withdrawals on Syria’s oil industry. According to analysts, simply regaining control over oil fields may not attract foreign investments without broader political stability.
Syria currently faces a critical fuel crisis, struggling to substitute Iranian crude oil imports crucial for its petroleum needs. The government has attempted to secure crude oil through tenders but attracted minimal interest from suppliers due to concerns about sanctions and financial stability. The impact of diminished crude supplies is evident in the challenges faced by Syrian refineries to maintain essential fuel production.
Syria’s electricity sector has suffered ongoing crises since the civil war began in 2011, leading to substantial deterioration of its infrastructure. Following the overthrow of former President Bashar Al Assad, the newly established government is facing immense challenges in restoring reliable electricity supply amid economic sanctions and limited foreign investment. The historical reliance on Iranian crude has further complicated the energy landscape, highlighting the complexities of Syria’s recovery efforts.
In summary, Syria’s electricity crisis is deeply rooted in years of war, infrastructural damage, and fuel shortages. The new government’s plans to enhance power supply face considerable obstacles due to a lack of resources and geopolitical challenges. Despite efforts from neighboring countries like Turkey and Qatar, a sustainable solution to the energy crisis remains uncertain, exacerbated by issues tied to foreign investment and regional control.
Original Source: www.thenationalnews.com
