Electricity in Syria in 2022
As of 2022, Syria heavily relies on fossil fuels for its electricity needs, with more than 95% of its electricity coming from fossil sources, including 38% from gas. This indicates a significant dependence on fossil fuels, contributing to concerns about air pollution and climate change. In contrast, low-carbon sources account for just over 4% of Syria's electricity generation, with hydropower alone representing nearly the entirety of this percentage. The minimal share of clean energy highlights an urgent need for a transition towards greener electricity to achieve a sustainable and environmentally friendly energy future.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Syria?
Electricity consumption in Syria has declined sharply in recent years, with current per capita usage at 894 kWh, a substantial drop from the 2010 record of 2,064 kWh per person. This decrease of 1,170 kWh per capita underscores a significant contraction in electricity availability or use, possibly due to economic or infrastructural challenges. The outlook for low-carbon electricity is equally concerning. With only 39 kWh of clean electricity generated per person in 2022, there is a drastic reduction from the historic peak of 322 kWh per person in 1984. This 283 kWh decrease indicates setbacks in Syria’s clean energy generation, emphasizing the necessity for reforms and investments to reverse this trend and boost low-carbon electricity.
Suggestions
To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Syria could draw lessons from successful regions that have excelled in solar and nuclear energy. For instance, Lebanon and California have made significant strides with solar energy, achieving over 30% of their electricity from this clean source. Meanwhile, countries like France, Slovakia, and Ukraine demonstrate the potential of nuclear energy, generating more than half of their electricity from nuclear sources. Syria could explore incorporating solar and nuclear power, given their environmental benefits and potential to dramatically increase low-carbon electricity production. This strategic pivot would align with global trends for reducing dependency on fossil fuels, mitigating climate change, and transitioning towards sustainable energy systems.
History
Historically, Syria's low-carbon electricity generation has seen fluctuations, predominantly through hydropower. In the 1980s, there was modest growth with notable increases in 1982 and 1984. However, the late 1980s through the 2000s saw some declines and rebounds, with significant drops in 2002 and again in mid-2010s. From 2010 to 2011, there was a momentary upswing, but subsequent years witnessed continued declines, particularly pronounced by 2015. These variations underscore the fragility and inconsistency of Syria's sustainable electricity generation strategy, pointing to the urgent need for stable, diversified investments in low-carbon infrastructure to secure a cleaner, more reliable energy future.
