Turkey to Export Gas to Syria Starting June

Turkey aims to export 2 billion cubic meters of natural gas to Syria annually, starting next June, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Arslan Bayraktar announced.

Turkish Anadolu Agency quoted Bayraktar as saying that the connection of the natural gas pipeline extending from the Turkish province of Kilis to the Syrian region of Aleppo has been completed. Bayraktar added, "We are conducting tests on the extended pipeline in preparation for the start of exports within a few days."

The Turkish Energy Minister's statement came after his visit to the Syrian capital, Damascus, yesterday, Thursday.

Bayraktar indicated that Turkish gas will contribute to the production of 1,200 to 1,300 megawatts of electricity, first to Aleppo and then to Homs. He revealed that work is underway on projects related to strengthening Syria's energy infrastructure in the long term, from production to transmission and distribution.

The two countries are considering establishing another energy line between Reyhanli, Hatay, Turkey, and the Harem region in the Idlib countryside, according to a previous statement by Syrian Energy Minister Mohammad al-Bashir, who indicated that the project is "on the agenda."

Syria is seeking to secure its electricity needs after more than a decade of conflict that has devastated its infrastructure, as current President Ahmad al-Sharaa seeks to build economic ties with neighboring countries.