In Syria, the vast majority of electricity generation—close to 96%—is currently based on fossil fuels, with gas accounting for almost 40% of the total. Only a small portion, about 4%, comes from low-carbon energy sources. Within this small segment, hydropower contributes nearly all of the low-carbon electricity, around 4%, while other low-carbon sources seem to be nonexistent in the mix. The overwhelming dependence on fossil fuels not only raises concerns about greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution but also highlights the necessity for a transition towards greener and more sustainable energy solutions.

Is Electricity Growing in Syria?

The latest data from 2022 shows a significant decline in electricity consumption in Syria compared to the peak year of 2010. Per capita consumption has dropped to 894 kWh, a decline of over 1100 kWh since 2010. This reduction is particularly concerning given the increasing global demand for electricity in the digital age. Similarly, low-carbon electricity generation per person has decreased dramatically, from a record 322 kWh in 1984 to just 39 kWh in 2022, a stark drop of nearly 300 kWh. The decline in both overall and low-carbon electricity use raises serious concerns about Syria’s capacity to meet future energy demands sustainably.

Suggestions

To increase low-carbon electricity, Syria can learn from regions that have successfully integrated solar and nuclear power. Lebanon, for instance, generates around 31% of its electricity from solar power, which offers a viable path for Syria, considering its abundant sunshine. Additionally, nuclear power successes in countries like France and Ukraine, contributing more than half of their electricity from low-carbon sources, illustrate the potential stability and sustainability nuclear energy provides. Investing in nuclear and solar energy could help Syria significantly increase its clean electricity generation while addressing environmental concerns associated with fossil fuel dependence.

History

Historically, Syria's low-carbon electricity has largely depended on hydropower, with notable increases in the early 1980s and the mid-2000s. The early 1980s saw an increase of 0.3 TWh in 1982 and 0.5 TWh in 1984. The period from 2000 to 2005 also showed positive growth, with increases in hydropower generation of 0.5 TWh, 0.2 TWh, 0.3 TWh, 1.4 TWh, and 0.2 TWh, respectively. However, there have also been significant setbacks recorded, especially from the late 1980s through the 2010s, with several years of decline in hydropower generation, including a dramatic drop of 1.9 TWh in 2015. The reliance on a single low-carbon source such as hydropower has left Syria vulnerable to fluctuations, emphasizing the need for a diversified energy strategy that includes substantial investment in solar and nuclear energy.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade