Electricity demand is expected to reach 10 % in Syria

The EU grant of EURO 11 million to Syria to boost the electrical energy sector was due to the increased demand on electricity that equaled 9 percent annually during the last ten years and is expected to increase by 9,5 % and 10 % in the future, a report to SANA said yesterday.

The European Bank of Investment EBI had offered Syria two grants of EURO 390 million, to strengthen the electrical energy sector as a complementary procedure to the program of backing the electrical energy sector in Syria.

" The need to this program is vital and important in light of the growing demand on electricity in Syria," the report said.

The action of the electricity sector program financed by the EU has centered on a grant of EURO 11 million to modernize institutions, administrations and running of this field as well as the reform of general electrical facilities after the EU had financed the program of boosting the energy sector which work with is over by 2005.

"The Program is aimed at increasing non-centralism in accompanying operations and the electricity market role in reconstructing and organizing in addition to increase profits and revenues from investment and self-finance, " the report said.

It added that its goal was to reform the electricity sector in Syria by making more independence and effectiveness and to reform work conditions at electricity facilities to improve the ability of competitiveness at regional energy markets.