Daijiworld Media Network – Damascus

Damascus, Jul 7: As darkness still grips much of Damascus, a faint glow from rooftop solar panels brings hope to residents like Abdulrazak Al-Jenan. The 62-year-old went deep into debt in 2019 to install a solar panel that now keeps his phone charged and refrigerator running, amid years of power cuts caused by war and sanctions.

With US-led sanctions lifted following the ouster of former President Bashar Assad, Syria’s new leadership is banking on large-scale energy revival. The country is turning the page after nearly 14 years of conflict with a massive $7 billion energy deal involving Qatari, Turkish and American companies. The plan includes four gas turbines and a 1,000-megawatt solar farm that could meet nearly half of the country’s current electricity demand.

“The solution isn’t putting solar panels on roofs. It’s providing consistent power to families through the national grid,” said interim Energy Minister Mohammad Al-Bashir.

The World Bank has also stepped in with a $146 million grant to help repair war-damaged transmission lines and substations. According to officials, repaired infrastructure could supply up to 5,000 megawatts, but fuel shortages have stalled generation. With sanctions now lifted, fuel and equipment are expected to arrive soon.

The UN Development Program is set to roll out a renewable energy blueprint within the year, aiming to reduce energy poverty and push sustainable solutions. “We must address energy poverty and accelerate access to renewable energy,” said UNDP’s resident representative Sudipto Mukerjee.

For over a decade, Syrians have endured crippling electricity bills and soaring prices. Economist Joseph Daher noted that solar panels and private generators were luxuries only a few could afford. “Real recovery needs affordable power. Right now, electricity is one of the costliest in the region,” he said.

Under Assad-era sanctions, bringing in spare parts and securing foreign investment was nearly impossible. Now, officials say the doors are opening again. “We are finally being treated like a normal country,” said Qutaiba Idlibi from the Foreign Ministry.

Back on his rooftop, Al-Jenan watches television for the first time in weeks as summer temperatures climb to 35°C. “We were cut off from the world,” he said. “Now there’s hope the lights will come back for everyone.”