10 July 2025
11:00–12:30
Beirut time
Expert Group Meeting

Mapping solar energy access in the Syrian Arab Republic

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  • Online
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In the framework of a series of consultation meetings on mapping solar energy access in the Arab region, ESCWA is organizing a national consultation meeting with representatives from the National Energy Research Centre in the Syrian Arab Republic. The objectives of the meeting include informing representatives of the ESCWA project on "Improved mapping and monitoring of solar energy access for enhanced climate policy action and socio-economic resilience in ESCWA member States"; assessing current capabilities and availability of data in the Syrian Arab Republic; and identifying technical and policy gaps and challenges.

The meeting aims to initiate collaboration on data sharing, capacity-building, and the use of geospatial tools to support solar energy planning in the Syrian Arab Republic. It provides an opportunity to explore how the project can contribute to national efforts in renewable energy development and inform future policy directions.

Outcome document

  • ESCWA will send:
    • An official letter requesting nomination of the national focal point.
    • A formal request for archived Excel datasets and updated laws.
  • Syria (NERC) will:
    • Disseminate the ESCWA survey within its networks.
    • Share available data on solar PV installations and trade.
    • Provide the revised 2023 electricity law and relevant policy documents.
  • ESCWA and Syria will further collaboration to focus on data validation, GIS capacity building, and potential implementation sites.

The meeting commenced with welcoming remarks from ESCWA, followed by a brief introduction of the IMSE project, which aims to support countries in mapping renewable energy applications to inform decision-making and policy development. The project includes virtual coordination meetings, regional training workshops, and stocktaking exercises. The key points discussed were: 

  • ESCWA outlined the project’s objectives:
    • Assess technical and GIS capabilities for renewable energy monitoring.
    • Evaluate policy knowledge and data-informed decision-making.
    • Understand human capital capacity for strategic RE mapping.
    • Build institutional capacity to support SDG7, with a focus on solar energy.
    • Support data gathering for a Yemen-specific case study.
  • Syria explained:
    • The National Energy Research Center (NERC) has estimated 2,000 MW of off-grid rooftop PV installations in Syria, although official data on off-grid systems is not available.
    • Most data on on-grid systems are not publicly available but are archived in MS Excel files until the end of 2024, after which there is a new mechanism for data collection to be put in place.
    • On-grid systems data (including geographical locations) can be accessed through licensing applications.
    • Trade data is available but incomplete due to illegal imports via Lebanon, Turkey, and Jordan.
  • Syria highlighted:
    • The Syrian electricity crisis and power rationing have led to a widespread adoption of off-grid solar systems. These may also increase after the expected upcoming increase in the electricity tariff and lowering of subsidies.
    • Off-grid estimations are primarily based on customs data, while on-grid data is more structured and available.
    • Industrial PV deployment has increased due to energy bill reductions and available incentives.
    • Accurate mapping and understanding of solar deployment in Syria remain a challenge, and that could be alleviated through the outcomes of the project.
  • Syria indicated that:
    • No major changes were reported in energy policy since the electricity law amendments in 2021 and 2023.
    • A new fund now supports small-scale renewable energy systems through facilitated loans.
    • Syria has solar and wind atlases to guide investment decisions.
    • Rural areas prioritize renewable energy for agriculture (WEF Nexus), while cities focus on rooftop PV to power their households (e.g., Damascus).

Initiatives: Improved mapping and monitoring of solar energy access for enhanced climate policy action and socio-economic resilience

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