Turkey to Start Supplying Natural Gas to Syria from August 2 Big Boost for Syrian Power

Post by : Priya

  Photo:AFP

Turkey is set to begin supplying natural gas to Syria starting August 2, 2025, marking a significant step in the energy cooperation between the two neighboring countries and representing a hopeful turn in Syria’s long struggle with energy shortages caused by years of conflict. This development comes with deep strategic, economic, and humanitarian implications for Syria’s reconstruction and regional stability.

Background and Context

Syria has endured nearly 14 years of devastating civil war, culminating in major infrastructure damage, including the energy sector. Power outages lasting more than 20 hours per day became common, severely affecting the quality of life and economic recovery. Since the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, the new Syrian administration has intensified efforts to restore basic services and rebuild the country’s shattered infrastructure. Energy has been a top priority in this reconstruction phase.

In this context, Turkey's move to supply Syria with natural gas and electricity signals a growing political and economic rapprochement between the two countries. For much of the conflict period, Turkey supported opposition groups, but now Ankara is positioning itself as a key partner to Syria’s transitional government. The energy agreement was signed in Damascus in May 2025 by Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar and Syrian Energy Minister Mohammad Al-Bashir, who jointly announced this historic partnership.

Details of the Gas Supply Agreement

Turkey plans to supply Syria with six million cubic meters of natural gas per day, totaling approximately 2 billion cubic meters annually. This natural gas will be delivered through a newly completed pipeline connecting Turkey’s Kilis province to the Syrian city of Aleppo. The gas will be primarily used to fuel power plants in Syria, enabling an increase in electricity production by about 1,200 to 1,300 megawatts, a substantial boost compared to previous capacity.

Significantly, Azerbaijan will participate in the project through a gas swap agreement, providing part of the natural gas that will transit Turkey on its way to Syria. Additionally, Qatar is contributing financial support to the initiative, reflecting broader regional involvement in Syria’s reconstruction. These collaborations showcase an emerging network of energy diplomacy aimed at stabilizing Syria’s energy supply and fostering regional cooperation.

Complementary Electricity Support

Alongside natural gas deliveries, Turkey has committed to supplying 1,000 megawatts of electricity directly to Syria. Currently, Turkey supplies around 200 megawatts to Aleppo, with plans to increase this to between 700 and 800 megawatts in the near future. Eventually, Turkey expects to provide about 1,500 megawatts of electricity when combined with the power generated from the supplied natural gas.

These combined energy supplies are expected to increase the average daily electricity availability in Syria significantly—potentially enabling Syrians to receive up to 12 hours of electricity daily, a huge improvement from the severe shortages during the conflict years.

Infrastructure and Technical Aspects

The pipeline from Kilis to Aleppo was completed by May 2025, with ongoing testing and equipment installation ensuring readiness for operation. Furthermore, work is underway to connect high-voltage transmission lines between Turkey and Syria to optimize electricity distribution.

Turkish authorities have deployed technical teams to assess Syrian energy infrastructure and develop actionable short, medium, and long-term plans to sustain power generation and distribution reliability.

Political and Economic Implications

This energy partnership signals Turkey’s aim to be a pivotal player in Syria’s post-conflict recovery. By helping restore critical energy infrastructure, Ankara is enhancing political ties with Damascus and strengthening its influence in the region.

The lifting or easing of international sanctions on Syria — including fuel and energy-related sanctions by the United States and Britain in early 2025 — has facilitated this renewed cooperation. These moves encourage investment and reconstruction activity in Syria, with Turkey and its partners seeking to stabilize the energy sector as a foundation for broader economic recovery.

Humanitarian Impact

Reliable electricity is essential for hospitals, schools, water supply, and businesses, influencing the well-being of millions of Syrians. This new gas and electricity supply will directly contribute to stabilizing living conditions, improving healthcare services, and supporting economic activities across urban and rural areas.