- Qatar to supply 2 million cubic meters of natural gas daily via Jordan pipeline
- Syria’s electricity availability projected to double to 4 hours daily
- Initiative backed by Qatar Fund for Development, UNDP, and Jordan
- 14-year civil war and sanctions have crippled energy infrastructure
- U.S. maintains sanctions but eases some energy transaction restrictions
In a landmark agreement, Qatar will deliver vital natural gas reserves to Syria’s Deir Ali power plant through a Jordanian pipeline, marking the first cross-border energy collaboration since the war began. This initiative aims to generate 400 megawatts daily, potentially easing blackouts for millions. Experts highlight natural gas as a critical transitional fuel for Syria, bridging immediate needs while long-term grid repairs remain stalled by ongoing instability.
The Qatar Fund for Development’s partnership with Jordan and UNDP underscores regional efforts to stabilize Syria’s infrastructure. Similar to Lebanon’s 2021 energy aid package, this intervention focuses on essential services restoration but faces unique hurdles: Syria’s power grid operates at 35% pre-war capacity, with 70% of transmission lines damaged. Renewable energy projects, though growing through solar adoption, meet less than 15% of household demand.
Western sanctions continue to complicate reconstruction, despite January’s limited U.S. exemptions for energy deals. The interim government, led by President Ahmad al-Sharaa, remains internationally contested due to HTS affiliations. Analysts stress that without full sanction relief, Syria’s $400 billion rebuild cost will deter foreign investors, prolonging reliance on piecemeal aid.
Households currently spend 40% of income on private generators, while industries face 18-hour daily outages. The Qatari gas influx could reduce generator dependency by 30%, per energy models. However, war-damaged pipelines require $120 million in urgent repairs to sustain flows—a cost not yet addressed in current agreements.