Reports from Syrian State Agency have the Middle Eastern country looking into investing and developing solar and wind energy to meet the rise in energy demand. The Ministry of Higher Education has launched programs on renewable energy to be studied in electrical, mechanic, and technical engineering institutions and postgraduate programs.
Syrian institutes and research centers have conducted many studies on new types of renewable energy and the required infrastructure to invest them. In a statement to SANA, Head of the Higher Institute for Applied Sciences and Technology Wael Khansa said, "We conducted research on producing biodiesel from consumed frying oil and the results were good. Now we are studying the possibility of carrying out this project."
The country is also looking into an interconnectivity scheme with Armenia that would have solar power shared between the two countries to use it in heating and cooling water.
Meanwhile, Marafeq – Cham Holding Group member – and Vestas signed a strategic partnership to develop wind energy in Syria. The partnership includes the submittal of a joint pre-qualification to the Public Establishment for Electricity Generation and Transmission for the development of the first wind energy project in Syria. The project includes the construction and operation of a wind farm at two sites, Al Sukhna and Al Hijana, with a generation capacity of 50MW and 100MW respectively.
Marafeq will develop the project; Vestas is to provide the project with necessary technology; and the Kuwait Al Kharafi Co. is to be responsible for the project engineering, procurement, and construction.