Oil & Gas Qatar to supply Syria with natural gas to ease power crisis By Eva Levesque March 14, 2025, 3:30 PM Reuters Most areas of Syria receive electricity for only a few hours each day and substantial infrastructure repair is needed Qatar sending gas via Jordan Two million cubic metres a day Power shortages in Syria Qatar has signed an agreement to supply natural gas to Syria via Jordan, a significant step towards addressing the war-torn nation’s energy crisis. The agreement, signed between Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) and Jordan’s energy ministry, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme, will contribute to generating up to 400 megawatts of electricity daily in its initial phase. Capacity at the Deir Ali power plant in the south of Syria is set to increase gradually, according to the QFFD. As part of the deal, about two million cubic metres a day of natural gas will be sent from a floating liquefaction vessel located in Jordan’s Red Sea Aqaba port via the Arab Gas Pipeline to Syria, Jordan’s energy minister Saleh Kharabshe said, adding that the QFFD will fund the initiative. The supplies were approved by Washington, according to Reuters. Syria’s interim government, which took power after the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in December, is trying to rebuild the country’s devastated infrastructure. Syria has been facing severe power shortages and most areas receive electricity for only two to three hours per day. Years of conflict have destroyed critical infrastructure, and the cessation of Iranian oil supplies following Assad’s removal has further exacerbated the energy shortage. UK lifts sanctions on Syrian central bank and oil companies Iraq must act fast to avoid a domestic energy crisis Qatar-US LNG export project back on track The country’s electricity generation capacity stands at approximately 1.5 gigawatts, which is insufficient to meet domestic demand. 1GW can power approximately 800,000 homes for a year. The Qatari gas supplies can help to stabilise essential services such as hospitals and water systems, while supporting broader reconstruction efforts. However, extensive repairs to transmission lines and power stations are still needed. Gas supplies through the Arab Gas Pipeline to Syria have been disrupted since 2011. In January, Reuters reported Syria would receive two electricity-generating ships from Turkey and Qatar to boost its energy infrastructure. Register now: It’s easy and free AGBI registered members can access even more of our unique analysis and perspective on business and economics in the Middle East. Why sign uP Exclusive weekly email from our editor-in-chief Personalised weekly emails for your preferred industry sectors Read and download our insight packed white papers Access to our mobile app Prioritised access to live events Register for free Already registered? Sign in I’ll register later
