Saudi developer ACWA Power has signed an agreement with the Ministry of Electricity of the Syrian Arab Republic to conduct technical studies on the country’s entire energy system, including renewable energy projects with a potential combined capacity of 2,500 megawatts (MW). The announcement was made during the Damascus International Fair, marking a new phase of energy cooperation between Riyadh and Damascus.
The agreement envisions the potential development of 1,000 MW of solar capacity supported by storage solutions, as well as 1,500 MW of wind generation. Beyond the evaluation of new projects, ACWA Power will also assess the condition of existing power plants and propose optimisation scenarios, as part of a broader effort to modernise Syria’s national grid.
A partnership extended to the power grid
The scope of the agreement also includes technical studies on the structure of the Syrian electricity grid and possible adjustments to the energy mix. These studies will cover operational efficiency, maintenance requirements, as well as the integration of new renewable capacity into existing infrastructure. No timeline for execution or financing has yet been disclosed.
In parallel, Saudi Electricity Company signed a complementary agreement covering electricity generation, transmission and distribution. This also includes technical consulting and operational support. A separate memorandum of understanding was established by Saudi Electricity Project Development Company for engineering services and projects related to grid infrastructure.
The hydrocarbons sector also involved
Six additional memoranda of understanding were signed between Syrian authorities and Saudi companies in the oil and gas fields. These agreements include exploration, drilling, natural gas processing, geophysical surveys, seismic analysis, and research in earth sciences. Companies TAQA and ADES Holding have been designated to work on oil and gas field development.
Arabian Drilling signed an agreement focused on oilfield services, equipment maintenance and technical training. ARGAS committed to conducting geophysical surveys and geological studies in several areas identified by the Syrian authorities.
A technical commitment above all
Under the terms of the main agreement, ACWA Power is required to deliver concrete proposals after completing the studies. These preliminary works will determine technical feasibility, grid integration and financing or local partnership needs. The Syrian government seeks to attract structural investments in the context of the progressive reconstruction of its national energy sector.
