Qatar’s commitment to supporting Syria’s electricity sector marks a significant step toward alleviating the war-torn nation’s energy crisis, offering hope for economic recovery and improved living conditions.
Since 2025, Qatar has spearheaded initiatives to address Syria’s severe power shortages, which have left most areas with only a few hours of electricity daily due to a crippled grid and years of conflict.
These efforts, driven by the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), reflect a blend of humanitarian aid and strategic regional cooperation.
In March 2025, Qatar pledged $63.75 million to supply natural gas via Jordan’s Arab Gas Pipeline to the Deir Ali power plant, boosting its output by 400 megawatts daily.
This initiative, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme, aimed to stabilize essential services like hospitals and water systems.
This week, Qatar launched a second phase, routing 800 megawatts of electricity through Azerbaijan and Turkey to the Aleppo power station. This increased daily power supply to five hours for over five million subscribers, a 40% improvement.
Additionally, a $7 billion plan for new power plants, including four gas turbine facilities and a solar plant, promises to further expand Syria’s generation capacity, though completion is projected to take three years.
However, challenges persist. Syria’s grid, decimated by war and looting, requires extensive repairs to distribute power effectively.
Armed gangs stealing cables and siphoning electricity exacerbate the issue, with over 80 kilometers of lines looted in southern Syria alone since late 2024.
Despite these hurdles, Qatar’s $760 million support, including Azeri gas delivered via Turkey, is reducing reliance on costly, polluting private generators, lowering electricity costs for households and industries.
Qatar’s initiatives are a lifeline for Syria, fostering stability and economic revival. Yet, sustained international cooperation and robust security measures are crucial to ensure these investments translate into lasting improvements for Syrians.
