Syria's President Ahmad Al Shara, centre, shakes hands with Orhan Cemal Kalyoncu, chairman of Kalyon Holding, as Syrian Minister of Energy Mohammad Al Bashir watches, after the signing of the agreement in Damascus. Photo Credit: AP
Society SyriaMulti-Billion Dollar Clean Energy Deal for War-Ridden Country
A new multi-billion-dollar deal will expand clean energy and create about 300,000 additional jobs in Syria.
“Today, we are witnessing a historic moment that marks a turning point in Syria’s energy and electricity sector […]. This memorandum strengthens regional co-operation and integration in the energy sector and helps us promote clean and renewable energy projects,” says Syria’s energy minister, Mohammad Al Bashir.
The $7 billion deal aims to double Syria’s power supply amidst a severe power crisis and ongoing war that currently only allows for about two to three hours of electricity per day in most areas nationwide. A Qatar-led business group that promised to get an additional 5,000 megawatts to the Syrian national grid will essentially bring the deal to fruition. Moreover, the project is expected to create 50,000 direct and 250,000 indirect jobs, which will help bolster Syria’s labour market and civilians’ livelihoods.
