In 2022, Syria’s electricity consumption depended overwhelmingly on fossil fuels, which supplied about 96% of the total. Gas alone accounted for roughly 38%, or almost two-fifths. Low-carbon electricity contributed just over 4%, with hydropower providing nearly all of that clean share at about 3.7%. This leaves substantial scope to expand clean electricity and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, whose use contributes to climate change and air pollution.

Is Electricity Growing in Syria?

The latest figures show electricity consumption far below Syria’s historical peak, rather than sustained growth. In 2022, consumption was about 894 kWh per person, down by 1,170 kWh from the 2010 record of 2,064 kWh—roughly a 57% decline. Low-carbon electricity generation stood at just 39 kWh per person, compared with its 1984 record of 322 kWh, a fall of 283 kWh, or nearly 88%. These are worrying setbacks: Syria needs to rebuild electricity supply and expand clean generation to support living standards, economic recovery, and future demand from electrification and digital technologies.

Suggestions

Syria could increase low-carbon electricity generation by prioritizing solar deployment, developing wind where suitable, and considering nuclear power as part of a long-term electricity strategy. Nearby Lebanon generates almost a third of its electricity from solar, while Jordan obtains about 15% and Cyprus about 23%, offering relevant examples for solar expansion. Turkey generates roughly 12% from wind, demonstrating another regional opportunity. For nuclear power, Syria could learn from the United Arab Emirates, where nuclear supplies one-fifth of electricity, and Armenia, where it supplies almost 30%; France’s roughly two-thirds nuclear share illustrates its potential at larger scale. Investment in transmission, workforce training, and strong electricity-sector institutions would help Syria translate these examples into greater, more dependable clean electricity supply.

History

The supplied history of Syria’s low-carbon electricity records repeated hydropower gains followed by substantial reversals. In the 1980s, generation increased by 0.3 TWh in 1982 and 0.5 TWh in 1984, before falling by 0.5 TWh in 1986. The early 2000s brought gains in 2000–2001, a 1 TWh decline in 2002, and renewed growth in 2003–2005, including a strong 1.4 TWh increase in 2004. Those gains were followed by declines every year from 2006 through 2009, totaling 2.5 TWh. Generation rebounded by 0.7 TWh in each of 2010 and 2011, but further losses in 2013–2015 included a particularly steep 1.9 TWh drop in 2015. A 0.5 TWh recovery in 2016 was followed by another 0.2 TWh decline in 2017, underscoring the need to rebuild and diversify Syria’s clean electricity supply.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade