GE Vernova and Siemens Energy May Help Rebuild Syria’s Power Sector

Post by : Sameer Saifi

U.S. company GE Vernova and Germany’s Siemens Energy are in discussions to supply gas turbines to Syria as part of a large $7 billion project to rebuild the country’s power system after years of war. The project is one of the biggest reconstruction efforts since the end of Syria’s civil conflict and aims to restore electricity to millions of homes and industries.

According to reports, Syria signed an agreement in May with a subsidiary of Qatar’s Power International Holding (PIH) to build four gas-powered plants and one solar power unit. Together, these plants are expected to produce around 5,000 megawatts of power, with 4,000 MW coming from gas turbines and 1,000 MW from solar energy.

People close to the discussions said both Siemens Energy and GE Vernova could receive contracts to supply the turbines, although no final decisions have been made yet. The total cost of the turbines and related equipment has not been shared. Talks may also include deals for additional power infrastructure, such as transformers and grid systems, which are essential for stable electricity supply.

If the contracts move forward, Siemens Energy and GE Vernova would become among the first Western companies to join Syria’s reconstruction projects since the United States lifted most sanctions on Damascus earlier this year.

A Siemens Energy spokesperson confirmed that a local delegation had met with Syrian officials to discuss how to improve the country’s energy supply. “While no specific deals have been signed yet, we are ready to share our technical knowledge to help create a stable power network and support the Syrian people,” the spokesperson said.

GE Vernova and Power International Holding have not yet commented on the talks. The Syrian government also did not immediately respond to media questions.

Syria’s new government, led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, has been trying to rebuild the country’s destroyed power sector and shift its foreign partnerships. Since the end of the 14-year conflict and the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad, the new leadership has sought closer ties with the United States, Qatar, and other regional partners.

In July, several American companies, including Baker Hughes and Hunt Energy, announced plans to help Syria explore and produce oil and gas. These moves are part of a larger plan to restore energy security and attract foreign investment into the country.

Syria’s energy system suffered major destruction during the civil war. The country’s natural gas production dropped from 8.7 billion cubic meters in 2011 to just 3 billion cubic meters in 2023. Many power plants were damaged or destroyed, leading to long hours of power cuts and heavy losses for industries.

Recently, there has been a slow but noticeable improvement in the country’s electricity supply. Gas imports from Qatar and Azerbaijan have helped some power plants restart operations. Earlier this week, UAE-based company Dana Gas also announced a preliminary deal with Syria’s state oil company to rebuild damaged gas fields.

The partnership talks with Siemens Energy and GE Vernova are seen as another major step in Syria’s plan to rebuild and modernize its energy infrastructure. If successful, the deal will not only bring reliable power to the country but also create jobs and attract more international companies to participate in Syria’s recovery.

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