### Restoring Power: A Major Initiative for Syria’s Electricity Sector
On June 25, 2025, a significant development unfolded for Syria as the World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved a US$146 million grant from the International Development Association (IDA). This funding is designed to revitalize the beleaguered electricity sector, a crucial step for the country’s economic recovery. Dubbed the **Syria Electricity Emergency Project (SEEP)**, this initiative aims not just to restore reliable and affordable electricity but also to bolster the overall infrastructure critical for daily living and economic sustenance.
### The Electricity Crisis in Syria
Years of conflict have severely crippled Syria’s national grid, resulting in dire energy shortages. Citizens often endure mere 2 to 4 hours of electricity daily. This scarcity has had cascading effects, undermining vital sectors including water supply, healthcare, agriculture, and housing. The electricity sector’s inability to meet demand has left large segments of the population—and the economy—grappling with chronic energy insecurity. Much of the electrical transmission and distribution infrastructure suffers from high technical losses, needing urgent and comprehensive restoration.
### Challenges Faced by the Sector
The electricity sector is in disarray; many key substations have been either destroyed or neglected, leading to high operational losses. The lack of regular maintenance, combined with insufficient spare parts and investments, has compounded the deterioration and rendered much of the grid unreliable. Frequent outages have become the norm rather than the exception, leaving countless communities in darkness and despair.
### A Vision for Recovery
“Among Syria’s urgent reconstruction needs, rehabilitating the electricity sector has emerged as a critical, no-regret investment that can improve the living conditions of the Syrian people,” remarked **Jean-Christophe Carret**, Director of the World Bank Middle East Division. He emphasized that this project is a crucial first step in a planned increase in World Bank support for Syria’s journey towards recovery and development.
### What the SEEP Entails
The SEEP will finance the repair of high-voltage transmission lines, including two 400 kV interconnector lines damaged during the conflict. This initiative is not just about repairing existing infrastructure; it aims to restore Syria’s regional connectivity to neighboring countries like Jordan and Türkiye. Additionally, the project will focus on repairing transformer substations in regions heavily populated by returnee refugees and internally displaced individuals, ensuring access to electricity where it is needed the most.
### Technical Assistance and Capacity Building
The project also includes a strong emphasis on technical assistance. By helping formulate key strategies, regulatory reforms, and investment plans, the SEEP aims to foster medium- to long-term sustainability for the electricity sector. Capacity building will empower institutional frameworks so that they can effectively implement these strategic reforms.
### Economic Implications
“Electricity is a foundational investment for economic progress, service delivery, and livelihoods,” explained **H.E. Yisr Barnieh**, the Minister of Finance. He noted that this represents the first World Bank project in Syria in almost four decades, with the hope that it will lay the groundwork for a comprehensive support program that addresses the country’s long-term development needs.
### Implementation and Oversight
The **Public Establishment for Transmission and Distribution of Electricity (PETDE)** will spearhead the project. Their efforts will complement ongoing reconstruction initiatives, such as repairing distribution networks and securing fuel supplies. An international consulting firm will be engaged to act as PETDE’s Owner Engineer, providing essential project management and compliance with World Bank standards throughout the project’s lifecycle.
In an effort to reinforce fiduciary and environmental oversight, the Bank will also appoint a third-party monitoring agent. This initiative aims to bolster the project’s implementation capacity through expanded hands-on support.
### Moving Forward
The SEEP stands as a beacon of hope for a country that has faced significant hardships. By addressing the pressing energy crisis, this project paves the way for broader recovery efforts across various sectors; ultimately, it aims to improve the living conditions for millions of Syrians striving for a better future.
