Electricity generation has plummeted to less than 25% of pre-war levels, and the destruction of power plants, combined with difficulties in securing the necessary fuel, has resulted in total power generation falling to under 2,000 megawatts. With over 13 provinces relying on this limited supply, Syrians are facing daily power shortages that disrupt both daily life and the economy.
In Zamalka, a town in rural Damascus, residents have endured more than 13 years without government-provided electricity. With the power grid heavily damaged, people have resorted to private generators and solar power. However, these alternative solutions come at a steep cost. "The war has destroyed the power grid, which the government has not fixed, so people have started to connect cables from generators to their houses. But the problem is that people cannot afford it. It costs 50,000 to 60,000 Syrian pounds (about 3.9 to 4.6 USD) a week just to power one light bulb," said Bassam Qaddour, mayor of Zamalka.
The energy crisis is also severely affecting local businesses. In Zamalka, workshops are a vital part of the community, and Ibrahim Hajo, a blacksmith, shared the financial burden that power outages bring. "The cost of the final product is increasing. Before the war, I only had to pay my cost and the cost of raw materials. But now I have to add electricity, so the final cost is drastically increasing," Hajo explained. The blacksmith now spends over $600 per month on electricity from private generators to keep his business running.
Fuel shortages have also been a persistent issue, with smuggled gasoline bottles and gas cylinders flooding the streets of Damascus from neighboring countries. These fuel supplies, while necessary, are priced far above what most Syrians can afford. With an average household income of no more than $25 per month, residents like Yaser Khoder find the high prices unbearable. "The prices must be lowered. They are too expensive for the citizens regarding what they earn," Khoder said.
For the new government in Syria, addressing the energy crisis and ensuring affordable fuel access will be a significant challenge moving forward.Syria's prolonged crisis has left its electricity infrastructure in ruins, with the ongoing civil war causing a significant decline in the country's energy resources. Electricity generation has plummeted to less than 25% of pre-war levels, and the destruction of power plants, combined with difficulties in securing the necessary fuel, has resulted in total power generation falling to under 2,000 megawatts. With over 13 provinces relying on this limited supply, Syrians are facing daily power shortages that disrupt both daily life and the economy.
In Zamalka, a town in rural Damascus, residents have endured more than 13 years without government-provided electricity. With the power grid heavily damaged, people have resorted to private generators and solar power. However, these alternative solutions come at a steep cost. "The war has destroyed the power grid, which the government has not fixed, so people have started to connect cables from generators to their houses. But the problem is that people cannot afford it. It costs 50,000 to 60,000 Syrian pounds (about 3.9 to 4.6 USD) a week just to power one light bulb," said Bassam Qaddour, mayor of Zamalka.
The energy crisis is also severely affecting local businesses. In Zamalka, workshops are a vital part of the community, and Ibrahim Hajo, a blacksmith, shared the financial burden that power outages bring. "The cost of the final product is increasing. Before the war, I only had to pay my cost and the cost of raw materials. But now I have to add electricity, so the final cost is drastically increasing," Hajo explained. The blacksmith now spends over $600 per month on electricity from private generators to keep his business running.
Fuel shortages have also been a persistent issue, with smuggled gasoline bottles and gas cylinders flooding the streets of Damascus from neighboring countries. These fuel supplies, while necessary, are priced far above what most Syrians can afford. With an average household income of no more than $25 per month, residents like Yaser Khoder find the high prices unbearable. "The prices must be lowered. They are too expensive for the citizens regarding what they earn," Khoder said.
For the new government in Syria, addressing the energy crisis and ensuring affordable fuel access will be a significant challenge moving forward.
Syria's new trade minister Maher Khalil al-Hasan warned on January 6 that strict US sanctions are preventing the country from importing essential goods like fuel and wheat, and called for their lifting or suspension to avoid a looming crisis.
Syrian universities reopened after a month-long closure following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, marking a new era of freedom and hope. Students and educators, reflecting on the shift, shared their optimism about rebuilding a united and open Syria.
Damascus Airport resumes international flights after a decade. Qatar Airways leads with weekly flights as Syria sees a major political shift.
German and French Foreign Ministers visit Syria for historic talks with new rulers, signaling EU's readiness for a new political beginning after years of conflict.
Austria offers €1,000 to Syrian refugees for voluntary return after Assad's fall, citing Syria's need for rebuilding. Forced deportations remain on hold as the situation is reassessed.
A powerful winter storm swept through the U.S. mid-Atlantic, bringing up to a foot of snow, forcing school and office closures, and causing widespread travel disruptions, power outages, and dangerously cold temperatures expected to linger throughout the week.
In a landmark move announced by President Akufo-Addo, Ghana has eliminated visa requirements for all African passport holders effective January 1, 2025, becoming the fifth African nation to adopt this open-door policy after Rwanda, Seychelles, The Gambia and Benin.
April 3, 2025, marks the final deadline for non-EU nationals to apply for Spain's Golden Visa Program, offering residency through investments before the scheme ends.
Nvidia unveils AI breakthroughs at CES 2025, introducing Cosmos models for training robots and cars, advanced gaming chips, and new automotive tech with Toyota, targeting $5B revenue by 2026.
Biden blocks Nippon Steel's $14.9B U.S. Steel bid, sparking tensions during Blinken's Japan visit amid efforts to strengthen alliances against China.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has highlighted the importance of improved coordination between military and civilian services following the Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash near Aktau, Kazakhstan, which resulted in 38 fatalities.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix returns to Baku from September 19-21, 2025, as the 17th race of the season.
A powerful winter storm swept through the U.S. mid-Atlantic, bringing up to a foot of snow, forcing school and office closures, and causing widespread travel disruptions, power outages, and dangerously cold temperatures expected to linger throughout the week.
April 3, 2025, marks the final deadline for non-EU nationals to apply for Spain's Golden Visa Program, offering residency through investments before the scheme ends.
Biden blocks Nippon Steel's $14.9B U.S. Steel bid, sparking tensions during Blinken's Japan visit amid efforts to strengthen alliances against China.
A 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck Tibet's Himalayan foothills, killing at least 53 and shaking Nepal, Bhutan, and India. Tremors reached as far as Kathmandu and Thimphu.
Syria's new trade minister Maher Khalil al-Hasan warned on January 6 that strict US sanctions are preventing the country from importing essential goods like fuel and wheat, and called for their lifting or suspension to avoid a looming crisis.
A powerful winter storm swept through the U.S. mid-Atlantic, bringing up to a foot of snow, forcing school and office closures, and causing widespread travel disruptions, power outages, and dangerously cold temperatures expected to linger throughout the week.
In a landmark move announced by President Akufo-Addo, Ghana has eliminated visa requirements for all African passport holders effective January 1, 2025, becoming the fifth African nation to adopt this open-door policy after Rwanda, Seychelles, The Gambia and Benin.
April 3, 2025, marks the final deadline for non-EU nationals to apply for Spain's Golden Visa Program, offering residency through investments before the scheme ends.
Nvidia unveils AI breakthroughs at CES 2025, introducing Cosmos models for training robots and cars, advanced gaming chips, and new automotive tech with Toyota, targeting $5B revenue by 2026.
Biden blocks Nippon Steel's $14.9B U.S. Steel bid, sparking tensions during Blinken's Japan visit amid efforts to strengthen alliances against China.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment