In addition to the electricity agreement, Syria is collaborating with Türkiye on the development of a natural gas pipeline linking the Turkish border town of Kilis to Aleppo. This pipeline is projected to deliver six million cubic metres of gas daily to Syrian power plants, substantially enhancing the country's energy capacity.
The construction of the gas pipeline is anticipated to take between 12 to 15 months, while the restoration of electricity infrastructure, including power lines, is expected to be completed within six months. Aleppo, Syria's second-largest city, currently requires approximately 2,000 megawatts of electricity, but much of its infrastructure was damaged during the prolonged conflict.
Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar has indicated that Türkiye plans to increase its electricity exports to Syria to 500 megawatts over the next six months. Currently, Türkiye exports 210 megawatts of power via seven locations to Syria and aims to boost this level to 300 megawatts in February, with a particular focus on supplying Aleppo.
The energy collaboration between Syria and Türkiye is part of a broader initiative to rebuild Syria's energy and transportation infrastructure. Turkish Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu announced plans to rehabilitate transportation hubs in Syria, starting with restoring airports in Damascus and Aleppo. Additionally, efforts are underway to restore parts of the historic Hejaz Railway in Syria.
The partnership also includes the arrival of two energy ships from Türkiye and Qatar, expected to generate 800 megawatts of electricity, effectively doubling Syria's current electricity generation capacity. Work is ongoing to secure transmission lines to integrate the electricity from these ships into Syria's power grid.
These developments follow the fall of President Bashar al-Assad and the establishment of a transitional government led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa. The new administration has prioritised the restoration of essential services, including electricity, to stabilise the country and facilitate the return of displaced citizens.
Türkiye's involvement in Syria's reconstruction is also seen as a strategic move to strengthen its geopolitical influence in the region. By establishing infrastructure in northern Syria, Türkiye positions itself as a key energy transit hub between the Middle East and Europe. Turkish officials have suggested that the gas pipeline could eventually operate in reverse, allowing Syrian gas to flow northward into Türkiye, thereby diversifying its energy imports.
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