Syria is set to bolster its energy supplies with two electricity-generating ships provided by Turkey and Qatar, according to state news agency SANA. The initiative aims to address the severe energy crisis caused by extensive damage to the country’s infrastructure during President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
Khaled Abu Dai, Director General of the General Establishment for Electricity Transmission and Distribution, announced that the ships would collectively provide 800 megawatts of electricity. However, the timeline for the ships’ arrival and the duration of the supply were not specified.
Infrastructure Challenges
Abu Dai highlighted the significant damage to generation stations, transmission infrastructure, and electrical connections during Assad’s rule. Efforts are underway to rehabilitate these facilities to improve energy transmission.
Sanctions Exemption
On Monday, the United States issued a six-month sanctions exemption for transactions with governing institutions in Syria, aiming to facilitate humanitarian assistance. The exemption, which extends to certain energy transactions and personal remittances, will remain in effect until July 7. However, no sanctions were lifted.
Severe Power Shortages
Syria currently experiences extreme power shortages, with electricity available for only two to three hours daily in most areas. The caretaker government has pledged to increase availability to up to eight hours a day within the next two months.
The electricity-generating ships are expected to play a critical role in alleviating the power crisis as Syria works to restore its damaged energy infrastructure.
