Azerbaijani gas begins flowing to Syria's Homs province
BAKU. Aug 11 (Interfax) - Natural gas from Azerbaijan has reached Syria's Homs province for the first time via the Turkey-Syria pipeline, the Anadolu Agency reported, citing Syrian Deputy Energy Minister Ghayath Diab.
"The natural gas transported through the Turkey-Syria pipeline was delivered for the first time [last Saturday] to the Cender gas power plant in Homs province, located in the center of the country. The pipeline, with [an initial] capacity of 3.4 million cubic meters per day, is currently transporting 1.4 million cubic meters daily, enabling the generation of 250 megawatts of electricity," Diab said.
This step represents a qualitative shift in the energy sector, adding that work continues to meet all citizens' electricity needs, he said.
In the next phase, gas will be directed from the Cender station to the Nasiriyye and Tishrin thermal power plants located near the capital Damascus, he said.
Once gas reaches all thermal power plants (with supply volumes of 3.4 million cubic meters per day), electricity supply in the country will increase to 5 hours per day. In the subsequent phase, which envisages daily supplies of 6 million cubic meters of Azerbaijani gas, it is planned that household electricity supply will increase to 8 hours per day.
Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar previously said that Azerbaijani gas supplies to Syria are being conducted on a commercial basis, with volumes set to increase to 6 million cubic meters per day in the second phase.
Gas produced in Azerbaijan flows into Turkey's gas transportation system, operated by state-owned BOTAS. Under a swap agreement between Turkey and Azerbaijan, the gas is transferred to Syria at the Yavuzlu border crossing between Turkey and Syria. Azerbaijan has committed to supplying the gas and sells it to Syria. Turkey is responsible for the delivery and transportation of this gas, providing the necessary logistics. The Qatar Development Fund is also providing financing for the project.
As reported, on August 2, 2025, Azerbaijan began exporting gas to Syria. At the initial stage, supplies will amount to 1.2 billion cubic meters per year, with a subsequent increase to 2 bcm per year.
Azerbaijani gas will be delivered through the Turkish city of Kilis to power plants in Aleppo and Homs and used for electricity generation. As a result, power generation capacity of 1.2-1.3 GW will be ensured. The project is expected to increase electricity supply in the provinces to 10 hours per day. It will also make it possible to provide electricity to around 5 million households.
The Syrian government and the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijani Republic signed a memorandum of understanding in Baku on July 14, which includes cooperation and coordination in the energy sector, supplies of natural gas via Turkey, as well as cooperation and coordination in oil exploration.
