Syria’s Ministry of Electricity has signed a series of landmark agreements with two Saudi firms — Al-Harfi and SCLCO — to build 500 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy capacity across the country, signaling a growing regional effort to restore and modernize Syria’s devastated power infrastructure.
The deals, finalized with Syria’s Public Establishment for Transmission and Distribution of Electricity (PETDE), include both memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and power purchase agreements (PPAs). The projects will focus on solar and wind developments that aim to relieve the country’s chronic electricity shortages, which have persisted through more than a decade of conflict and economic hardship.
The signing ceremony was attended by Omar Shaqrour, Syria’s Deputy Minister of Energy for Electricity Affairs, and Abdulaziz bin Khalid Al-Yousef, Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Renewable Energy — a clear indication of warming ties and shared interests between Damascus and Riyadh in the field of sustainable energy.
Saudi Investment in Syria’s Renewable Energy Revival
Under the agreements, SCLCO, a Saudi-based industrial and contracting firm with active operations in Jordan and Egypt, will develop around 100 MW of the total 500 MW capacity. The remaining projects will be undertaken by Al-Harfi, a Saudi energy and infrastructure company with growing expertise in renewable power.
The projects are expected to include both solar photovoltaic farms and wind energy installations, strategically located in areas with suitable resources and existing transmission links.
Although specific project sites have not yet been disclosed, the agreements represent the most significant Saudi renewable energy commitment in Syria to date — part of a broader push to stabilize the country’s fragile energy grid and promote regional economic cooperation.
A Broader Regional Push for Syria’s Energy Rebuilding
The new deals follow a similar understanding reached earlier this year between ACWA Power, one of Saudi Arabia’s leading renewable developers, and Syria’s Ministry of Energy. That earlier agreement outlined plans to explore up to 1,000 MW of solar generation capacity and 1,500 MW of wind power projects, as well as battery storage systems to enhance grid reliability.
Together, these initiatives mark a shift toward re-engagement between Saudi and Syrian energy sectors — a move that aligns with regional trends toward renewable diversification and post-conflict reconstruction.
The reactivation of bilateral projects also signals a pragmatic approach to energy diplomacy, with Saudi companies taking a leading role in supporting Syria’s efforts to rebuild essential infrastructure while simultaneously expanding their renewable portfolios beyond the Gulf.
Syria’s Power Crisis and the Role of Renewables
Syria’s electricity grid has suffered extensive damage during years of war, leaving millions with limited or unreliable access to power. In many regions, residents receive only a few hours of electricity each day, forcing heavy dependence on private diesel generators.
Investments in renewable energy — particularly solar and wind — have emerged as one of the most viable solutions to bridge this gap. With vast areas of open land and abundant sunlight, Syria possesses strong potential for solar generation, while its mountainous regions and coastal plains are well suited for wind energy development.
According to local energy officials, the new Saudi-backed projects could help reduce reliance on fuel imports and provide more consistent power to industrial zones, hospitals, and key urban centers.
International Players Step In
Beyond Saudi Arabia, other regional powers are also joining efforts to rebuild Syria’s electricity sector. In September 2025, PETDE signed an agreement with Manaret Shahbaa, a Syrian renewable energy firm, to construct a 100-MW solar power plant in the country’s central region.
Meanwhile, Qatar has signaled its own commitment through a major partnership led by UCC Holding, which plans to build a 1-gigawatt (GW) solar project in southern Syria. The project, valued at approximately USD 7 billion, forms part of a broader reconstruction agreement with local authorities aimed at revitalizing essential infrastructure and supporting long-term economic recovery.
These combined efforts highlight a growing willingness among Gulf nations to participate in Syria’s energy rehabilitation — an area seen as both a humanitarian necessity and an economic opportunity.
Energy Diplomacy and Regional Integration
Analysts view the Saudi-Syrian energy partnerships as part of a broader geopolitical thaw across the Middle East. Following the resumption of diplomatic ties between the two nations in 2023, energy cooperation has emerged as a practical area for rebuilding trust and fostering economic interdependence.
By investing in renewable infrastructure, Saudi Arabia not only supports Syria’s recovery but also strengthens its own position as a regional leader in clean energy transition. The Kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy emphasizes renewable development as a cornerstone of its economic diversification — a vision increasingly reflected in its cross-border initiatives.
For Syria, the agreements offer both immediate relief and long-term potential. If implemented successfully, these renewable projects could reduce the country’s energy deficit, attract foreign capital, and create much-needed jobs in construction, engineering, and operations.
Outlook
While the path to reconstruction remains challenging, the entry of Saudi developers into Syria’s energy sector marks a turning point in regional collaboration. As projects move from agreements to implementation, they could lay the groundwork for a new phase of sustainable rebuilding — one where energy security, diplomacy, and innovation intersect.
If realized at full scale, the combined 500 MW of Saudi-led projects, alongside additional investments from Qatar and ACWA Power, could transform Syria’s power landscape — bringing light, stability, and new hope to a nation long defined by conflict and scarcity.
