Syria, India Discuss Electricity Cooperation

DAMASCUS, (ST) – The Minister of Electricity Imad Khamis and Head of the Indian Economic Cosmos Group, Anil K. Agrawell and members of the accompanying delegation recently here discussed ways to enhance cooperation with Indian companies in the electricity sector and the future prospects and the need of signing new contracts in the reconstruction phase.

The Minister of Electricity reviewed the ministry’s plan for the rehabilitation and development of the electricity sector including equipment, supplies and the establishment of generation stations, where the value of the projects in this area is estimated at 19 billion Euros to meet the needs of energy, pointing out that the biggest challenge for these projects is the funding whereas a part of this funding will  be from the own resources and the second part will be  in the form of loans from friendly countries and the latter part of joint ventures by the private sector.

The Minister called the Indian companies to see the reality of investment and development in Syria and cooperation in all fields, especially the electricity sector, pointing out that the ministry signed during the last period contracts with Indian companies worth 50 million Euros.

For his part, Mr. Agrawil confirmed readiness of the Indian side to cooperate with the Ministry of Electricity and especially in the field of reviving the generation stations, especially that the Indian companies have considerable experience in this area and can provide assistance for projects at low cost and the necessary funding, establishment of the stations, all equipment including generating stations, cables, electric systems and even transportation and distribution.

For his part, Deputy Minister of Electricity Eng. Nidal Qurmousha underlined importance of the topics that were discussed during the meeting, in terms of strengthening cooperation with the Indian companies to supply equipment and networks, transmission and distribution of electricity, adding that the ministry is ready to provide all the required information about the materials needed by the electricity sector for being the center of economic and social development.

Eng. Qurmoshh explained the need to establish future strategic projects, such as building generation stations working by coal in collaboration with the Indian or the Syrian private sectors and building renewable energy stations in the areas of wind and solar energies, especially since these projects are promising in the phase of reconstruction and recovery from the effects of the crisis in Syria.

The meeting was attended by the Indian charge d’Affaires in Damascus S. D. Sharma.

Sharif el Khatib