Kilis: A significant energy development has emerged in the region as Turkey and Azerbaijan have signed a swap agreement facilitating the export of Azerbaijani natural gas to Syria. Alparslan Bayraktar, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of the Republic of Turkey, announced this strategic move aimed at enhancing Syria’s energy infrastructure and supporting its power generation capabilities.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the agreement was signed with the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR). This deal marks a crucial collaboration between Turkey and Azerbaijan, with Azerbaijani gas being delivered to the Turkish-Syrian border. The arrangement underscores the longstanding partnership between the two nations, with Azerbaijan consistently standing by Turkey in various circumstances, including this energy project.
Under the agreement, Azerbaijani natural gas will be transported through Kilis, Turkey, with a daily delivery capacity of 6 million cubic meters from the Yavuzlu Measuring Station. This initiative is expected to revive power plants in Syria, contributing to the country’s energy needs. Minister Bayraktar highlighted that, initially, up to 2 billion cubic meters of natural gas could be exported to Syria annually, enabling approximately 1,200 megawatts of installed capacity to be reactivated. This development is anticipated to significantly aid in the normalization of life in Syria, improving living standards and facilitating the return of displaced citizens.
The inauguration ceremony for the Turkey-Syria natural gas pipeline was recently held in Yavuzlu village in Kilis province, marking the commencement of Azerbaijani gas exports to Syria via Turkey. This event signifies the operational start of the pipeline, further solidifying the energy cooperation between the involved nations.
Preparations have been finalized for the transportation of natural gas as per the agreement between SOCAR and Syria. In the initial phase, 1.2 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year is planned for delivery to Syria. The gas will transit through Kilis and supply power plants in Aleppo and Homs, where it will be utilized for electricity generation. This is expected to achieve a production capacity target of approximately 1,200-1,300 megawatts, contributing significantly to Syria’s energy sector recovery.