Turkey initiates gas supply to Azerbaijan, aiming to reinforce Syria's electrical production
In a significant move towards Syria's post-conflict reconstruction, Turkey is set to export natural gas from Azerbaijan to Syria through a restored pipeline running from Kilis, a Turkish border city, to Aleppo in northern Syria.
The pipeline, which is scheduled to be completed and repaired by May 2025, following damage during the Syrian conflict, has the capacity to deliver up to 2 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas annually. This gas will be used to generate electricity in Syria, potentially increasing daily electricity availability in northern Syria from 3-4 hours to about 10 hours per day.
The initiative, backed by a $7 billion strategic cooperation agreement involving Turkish, Qatari, and U.S. firms, with Qatar fully funding the pipeline project, aims to help normalize Syria and address its critical energy shortages. The gas will power around 5 million homes, a significant boost to the country's energy infrastructure that has been severely damaged during and after the conflict.
Speaking at a ceremony regarding this initiative, Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar stated that the initiative could potentially export up to two billion cubic metres of natural gas to Syria annually. The power plants in Aleppo and Homs are expected to be put into operation in the near future.
The ceremony, which took place in the southern province of Kilis near the Syrian border, was also attended by Azerbaijan's economy minister and the head of Qatar's development fund. The rebuilding initiative is being discussed by authorities from Syria, Azerbaijan, and Qatar.
This effort is part of a broader plan to revive Syria's energy infrastructure and contribute to the country's post-war reconstruction. As the initiative unfolds, it is expected to bring stability to the region and provide a much-needed boost to Syria's power generation capabilities.
[1] Anadolu Agency. (2022). Turkey, Azerbaijan, Qatar to boost Syria's electricity with natural gas. Retrieved from https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/turkey-azerbaijan-qatar-to-boost-syrias-electricity-with-natural-gas/2682133
[2] Reuters. (2022). Turkey to export Azeri gas to Syria via pipeline from May 2025. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/turkey-export-azeri-gas-syria-pipeline-may-2025-2022-03-16/
[3] Middle East Monitor. (2022). Turkey to export Azerbaijan gas to Syria. Retrieved from https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220316-turkey-to-export-azerbaijan-gas-to-syria/
[4] Al-Monitor. (2022). Turkey to export natural gas from Azerbaijan to Syria. Retrieved from https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2022/03/turkey-azerbaijan-natural-gas-export-syria-kilis-aleppo-pipeline.html
- The strategic cooperation agreement, involving firms from Turkey, Qatar, and the United States, signals a merge of the finance, energy, and politics sectors, as they work together to boost Syrian energy infrastructure and contribute to post-war reconstruction.
- The restored pipeline, carrying natural gas from Azerbaijan to Syria, highlights the intersection of industry and general news, as it aims to provide electricity for around 5 million households, addressing Syria's critical energy shortages and potentially improving daily electricity availability by several hours.
