Electricity in Syria in 2021

In Syria, the total electricity consumption for 2021 stood at slightly above 26 terawatt-hours (TWh). This total was generated almost entirely from fossil fuels, with fossil sources contributing 16 TWh and gas making up the remaining 10.31 TWh. The absence of any low-carbon energy sources in the mix is striking. This very high reliance on fossil fuels for electricity generation puts Syria far from the global average per capita consumption of 410 watts, with the country's generation levels significantly skewing towards fossil fuels. Low levels of electricity generation, especially from low-carbon resources, could impede Syria's sustainable development while contributing to increased pollution and exacerbating climate change.

Suggestions

To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Syria can draw significant lessons from countries like China, United States, Germany, and France, who have substantial low-carbon resources in their energy mix. China and the United States, for instance, have successfully harnessed wind energy producing 964 TWh and 425 TWh respectively. Syria, with its arid and wind-prone geographical location, could potentially mimic these efforts. Similarly, Syria could also emulate France's effective utilization of nuclear energy, which generated a significant 319 TWh. The United States also makes a case for the successful use of solar energy, with an output of 215 TWh. In essence, Syria’s shift to low-carbon electricity generation relies on exploring wind, solar, and potentially, nuclear energy, leveraging the country’s geographic and climatic conditions.

History

Exploring the history of low-carbon electricity in Syria, it's evident that the country only experimented with hydroelectric power, with varying degrees of success. In the early 1980s, a modest growth was realized with a jump from 0.3 TWh in 1982 to 0.5 TWh in 1984. However, this progress was hampered by a reduction of -0.5 TWh in 1986. This trend of fluctuating generation persisted for decades, with noteworthy declines occurring in the late 2000s and mid-2010s. For instance, in 2009, hydroelectric power dropped by a significant 1 TWh, and in 2015 it fell by an even larger amount of 1.9 TWh. However, these setbacks were periodically followed by slight increases. In light of this, Syria remains with a largely untapped potential for the generation of low-carbon electricity, particularly from wind, solar, and potentially nuclear sources.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources