The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Governments of Italy and Norway, has signed a US$10.7 million agreement to restore electricity generation at Syria’s Deir Ali power plant. The project, implemented in collaboration with Syria’s Ministry of Energy, aims to strengthen the national power grid and improve electricity reliability for households, public services, and productive sectors across Rural Damascus, Daraa, Quneitra, and As-Suwayda.
The rehabilitation project will focus on Extension II of the Deir Ali power plant through urgent maintenance, procurement and installation of critical spare parts, and training of technical staff to ensure proper operation and maintenance. Once completed, the project is expected to restore approximately 120 megawatts (MW) of electricity, benefiting over two million people where supply has been severely limited.
Italian Ambassador Stefano Ravagnan highlighted that the Deir Ali project demonstrates Italy’s commitment to Syria’s recovery, emphasizing its immediate benefits for local communities and industrial production. Similarly, Norway’s Chargée d’Affaires Hilde Haraldstad noted that strengthening the electricity supply is crucial for vital public services, daily life, and the country’s broader recovery efforts.
Key activities include technical assessments, procurement of original spare parts, supervision and certification of installation works, and hands-on capacity development for engineers and technicians. These interventions aim to reduce outages, protect existing infrastructure, and build national capacity for power plant operations and maintenance.
Italy’s contribution of €5 million and Norway’s US$5.1 million support will rehabilitate two units of Deir Ali Extension II, together adding more than 120 MW to the national grid. UNDP Resident Representative a.i. Dr. Mohammed Mudawi emphasized that reliable electricity is essential for hospitals, water systems, schools, and livelihoods, and that this partnership will contribute to safe returns and improved quality of life for millions of Syrians.
The Deir Ali power plant, located south of Damascus, is one of Syria’s most strategic electricity facilities, with a total installed capacity of 1,450 MW. Years of crisis, delayed maintenance, and limited access to spare parts have significantly reduced its performance, making its rehabilitation a national priority for stabilizing electricity supply and supporting essential services across Syria.
