Syria finalizes deal to rebuild power system with 4 new plants

DAMASCUS, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- Syria's energy authorities announced on Thursday that the war-torn country will build four new gas power plants with a total capacity of 4,000 megawatts, along with several solar energy projects, under a final agreement reached with a consortium of international companies, state news agency SANA reported.

The deal represents one of Syria's largest strategic energy projects since 2011, and forms part of the country's broader plan to rehabilitate the national electricity grid, enhance operational efficiency, and secure a sustainable and stable power supply, according to the report.

Syrian energy affairs chief Mohammad al-Bashir described the project as "a major milestone" in the rehabilitation of Syria's energy infrastructure, and "an important step" toward Syria's long-term goal of achieving energy self-sufficiency.

According to SANA, the plan includes the construction of a 1,200-megawatt combined-cycle gas turbine power plant in Aleppo in northern Syria, a 1,000-megawatt plant in Deir Ezzor in the east, another 1,000-megawatt facility in Zayzoun, and an 800-megawatt plant in Mhardeh in rural Hama province. In addition, a series of solar energy projects with a combined capacity of 1,000 megawatts will be developed at four different sites.

Syria faces acute electricity and energy shortages due to prolonged conflicts and sanctions. ■