T眉rkiye's Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar has announced the completion of a natural gas pipeline connection from the southern Turkish province of Kilis to the Syrian city of Aleppo.
Speaking to Anadolu in Damascus, Bayraktar said final testing and equipment installation are underway, with natural gas exports to Syria expected to begin within weeks.
"We completed the pipeline connection from Kilis to Aleppo as of 21 May. Testing and installation of additional equipment are ongoing. We will begin exporting natural gas in June," Bayraktar said
The minister described T眉rkiye's efforts to deepen energy cooperation with Syria's post-conflict administration as "intensive" noting that Ankara had sent multiple technical teams to assess Syria's energy infrastructure needs and develop short, medium and long-term projects.
Bayraktar said those efforts have started to yield tangible results over the past five to six months, adding that stabilizing life in Syria is a priority and energy is key to that process.
"For life to return to normal, people must have access to energy and essential services. That starts with electricity infrastructure, We aim to increase this both to the areas in Northern Syria, where we currently export, and especially to Aleppo with the new transmission volume we will deliver," he said.
- Gas export to Syria to start in June
The country plans to begin gas exports in June, Bayraktar said and added, "That natural gas will be turned into electricity in the power plants in Syria and will be used to meet the electricity needs of the people here."
He reiterated that T眉rkiye's natural gas exports to Syria could reach 2 billion cubic meters annually, with initial deliveries going to Aleppo before expanding to Homs.
He outlined plans to triple electricity exports to northern Syria, aiming to raise the capacity to nearly 1,000 megawatts.
He said the upcoming gas exports would be used to power local electricity generation, boosting output by an estimated 1,200 to 1,300 megawatts potentially doubling Syria's current production.
"This would mean extending electricity supply from a few hours a day to eight, ten, or even 12 hours at least half the day with uninterrupted service," Bayraktar explained.
- Bayraktar urges global investment in Syria's energy sector
Bayraktar pointed to Syria's pre-war oil production of 300,000鈥�400,000 barrels per day, saying output has since plummeted due to political instability and poor operational standards.
He proposed more professional and internationally compliant production practices in partnership with Syrian, European, and even American firms.
"Before coming here, I received proposals from three major international companies interested in working with us in Syria. These are world-renowned firms," he said, without naming them.
Bayraktar shared those proposals with Syrian Energy Minister Mohammed al-Bashir and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, stressing that foreign investment in Syria's resource sectors could be key to economic recovery including mining, where he sees "serious potential."
The minister also highlighted proposals for broad cooperation on the discovery and development of new oil and gas fields, both onshore and offshore, including exploration in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Bayraktar said he had the opportunity to follow up in Damascus on key issues raised during two recent visits to T眉rkiye by Ahmed al-Sharaa.
"We see significant potential for cooperation with Syria across many sectors," Bayraktar said, citing ongoing discussions on renewable energy and geothermal resources.
- Long-term vision needed for energy infrastructure
He added that T眉rkiye is working on long-term projects to rebuild Syria's energy system, from power generation to transmission and distribution.
A framework agreement was signed during the Damascus visit on Thursday to guide this cooperation covering not only electricity and natural gas, but also oil, mining, and renewable energy.
Bayraktar explained, "We are working on new power plants that are needed. We came here today to see all these issues and the work carried out by the technical teams so far, and to make our first official visit to Syria in this sense, and on this occasion, we signed a framework agreement here today, where we will lay out our road map from now on. Of course, this does not only cover electricity, it will bring us the opportunity to cooperate in many areas ranging from electricity to natural gas, from natural gas to oil, mines, and renewable energy."
"Our aim is to ensure Syria's natural resources benefit its economy and help rebuild the infrastructure it needs for long-term development. We will continue to stand by the Syrian people and the new administration," Bayraktar said.
Reporting by Ethem Emre Ozcan and Muhammed Karabacak
Writing by Humeyra Ayaz
Anadolu Agency
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