In a new sign of hope for Syria’s recovery, the World Bank has officially approved a $146 million grant. The grant, provided through the International Development Association (IDA), aims to address one of the most vital and damaged areas, the electricity sector, a cornerstone of reconstruction and economic development.
Project Objectives
The World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved an IDA grant to help Syria restore reliable and affordable electricity supplies. This emergency project contributes to supporting the country’s economic recovery by focusing on two main areas.
First, immediate rehabilitation, including the repair of damaged power transmission lines and critical transformer substations. Second, technical and institutional support, which aims to provide technical assistance to develop the Syria’s electrical infrastructure and strengthen the capacity of the institutions responsible for it.
Importance and Expected Impact
The most significant statement came from Jean-Christophe Carré, World Bank Regional Director for the Middle East, who described the project as “the first step in the World Bank’s plan to increase its support to Syria on its path to recovery and development.” Carré emphasized that such rehabilitation projects stand out as among of the most pressing reconstruction needs, noting that it is “a vital investment to improve the living conditions of the Syrian people.”
Scope of Funded Work
The project will finance power grid restoration projects, with a focus on the repair of 400 kV high-voltage transmission lines, which are essential pillars of the power grid. It will also provide technical support for the development of long-term electricity sector strategies, including the preparation of master strategies for development, proposing policy and regulatory reforms, and developing investment plans to ensure medium and long-term sustainability.
The approval of this significant grant represents a recognition of the importance of ensuring the stability of utilities as a prerequisite for any economic and humanitarian recovery in Syria. Rehabilitating vital networks and enhancing institutional capacities aim not only to restore power to homes and facilities, but also to kick-start production and services, improve citizens’ living conditions, and lay the foundations for the comprehensive reconstruction phase the Syrian people aspire to after years of devastation. This emergency project is expected to pave the way for further international support for reviving Syria’s essential infrastructure.
