2. iNTRODUCTION
• Renewable energy resources in the Syrian Arab
Republic are surveyed. Potential of solar, wind and
bio-mass resources and their promising
applications are analyzed. The annual average
long-term solar radiation on a horizontal plane is
measured and found to be 5.2 kWh/m2 per day.
Wind speed measurements were conducted in
more than twenty stations spread all over the
country. The prospects of these measurements
indicate that wind is another promising source of
renewable energy in Syria. The registered annual
mean daily wind speed in some regions of the
country reaches more than 13 m/sec. Theoretical
study estimates that the biogas production of the
daily wastes of humans, animals and agriculture is
higher than 300 million cubic meters per year
3. Syria in Figures I
• Area: 185,180 km2
• Population: 21,101,163
• Natural resources: Petroleum, Phosphates, Chrome and
Manganese Ores, Asphalt, Iron Ore, Rock
Salt, Marble, Gypsum, Hydropower
• GDP : $49 billion
• GDP -real growth rate: 4.3 %
• GDP -per capita (PPP): $2,333
• GDP -composition by sector: agriculture: 24.8%, industry:
25.1%, services: 50.1%
4. Syria in Figures II
PRODUCED ENERGY M.K.W.H (in 2009)
Ministry Of
Electricity
Industrial
Establishments
Total
Water 1866 0 1866
Steam 22429 446 22875
Gas & Disel 18022 643 18665
TOTAL 42317 1089 43406
ELECTRICAL ENERGY CONSUMED UNIT M.K.W.H (in 2009)
Ministry Of
Electricity
Industrial
Establishments
Total
For lighting 18081 732 18813
For industry 8827 357 9184
Total consumption 26908 1089 27997
Energy sold outside the
country
611 0 611
Loss and self consumption 14798 0 14798
TOTAL 42317 1089 43406
6. Solar Energy
• Average rate of the solar
radiation (insolation) is about 5
kWh/m2 (equivalent to 1825
kWh/m2 per year over the
entire area of the Syrian land).
• The number of sunny hours, in
which solar radiation can
actually be utilized, varies from
2820 to 3270 hours/year.
• The number of cloudy days
varies from 38 to 45 days/year
7. Wind Energy
• A Wind Atlas for Syria
was published in 1999
through cooperation
between Syrian
officials and the
Danish RISO Institute.
The Atlas is mainly
based on data
collected by 49 wind-
monitoring stations
established around
Syria. These have
collected data for
many years (5-12
years) at each site in
the period 1965-93.
Annual averages of wind
speeds at 50 m height in
SYRIA
Site m/sec
Qonaitra 6.2
Kattiene 5.2
Daraa 4.7
Asry 4.5
Safita 4.3
Tadmur 4.3
Tanf 4.3
Raka 4.0
Soueda 3.9
Damascus 3.6
Nabek 3.6
Aleppo 3.6
Kamishly 3.6
Boukamal 3.4
8. Biomass Energy
• Several studies have been carried out with ESCWA support, and
extensive data have been collected on biomass resources. Estimates of
the main biomass resources carried out in the year 1999 show that there
are about 577365 tons of dry animal dung; 360000 tons of dry chicken
droppings; 230000 tons of dry human waste; and 34000 tons of dry
kitchen residues available every year. Studies indicate that 357 million m3
of biogas could be produced annually in Syria. This amount of biogas can
produce about 2380 GWh per year (211000 toe/year).
9. Hydro Energy
• Hydropower is the only significant renewable energy contribution to
Syria’s energy supply at the current time. The Al-Thawra Dam (880 MW)
and newly commissioned Tishreen Dam (630 MW), both on the
Euphrates, provide around 90 % of the hydroelectric supply. The Al-Baath
Dam on the Euphrates (75 MW) and 5 other small hydro plants make up
the total of 1620 MW installed.
11. Investment in Syria
• Investment Law No. 10 (1991) and its amending Decree No. 7 (2000) were the
SARG's initial attempts to stimulate foreign direct investment in Syria;
• Decrees Nos. 8 and 9 in January 2007 replaced pre-existing laws enabling
investors, whether Syrians, Arabs, or non-Arab foreigners, to own or lease the
land required for their projects, and provides for free repatriation of
profits, dividends and invested capital on condition that all tax liabilities have
been met.
• SARG passed a law in September 2009 exempting investment projects located
in he underdeveloped eastern region from taxes and fees for a period of ten
years, provided the projects were licensed before December 31, 2012.
• SARG passed Law 32 in November 2010 allowing private sector investment in
the generation and distribution of electricity in both traditional and renewable
energy fields. Public-private partnerships are also permitted under Law 32.
Accordingly
