Syria - wind energy project in the planning

Syria is planning to launch project of wind energy soon to generate electricity in light of increasing needs to alternative energies and expectations of a big growth in marketing this production in neighbouring countries, a report by SANA said. "The project has far reaching goals through the establishment of new job opportunities and its positive effect on the social and economic level, " the report said. It noted that it would develop national personnel in this respect and contribute in investing the "clean wind power" as well in decreasing Carbon emissions in addition to other materials with the aim of keeping environment and humans healthy.

"It aims at making profits to back the national economy by promoting energy production locally and abroad as well causing a cut in oil and gas consumption in the process of generating electricity. It will build personnel to manage this operation," an expert at the ministry of electricity said. Syria started investing the wind energy since the beginning of fifties last century when some expatriates coming from South America brought technology of wind fans to pump water and some 4000 fans were manufactured and installed in central Syria region including Homs, North Damascus and Qalmoum near Damascus. A solar wind station was built by the ministry of electricity in Adra near Damascus in 1979 and in 1984 directorate of research at the ministry issued a primary evaluation to wind energy in Syria in cooperation with the UNDP.

A map of wind in Syria was put due to Atlas data on wind speed from 60 wind stations in 1994. A compound to generate wind electricity was built at al-Baath city in Quneitra southwest Damascus to be linked with the general grid in Syria. Electricity experts told SANA a feasibility study has been prepared to build a wind farm in Homs governorate and a general plan to develop and upgrade use of the renewed energy is currently under construction. The ministry of electricity is arranging now a draft law to build the national centre for energy studies and research. It is to assume the mission of following up all activities related to develop and use renewable energy sources and improve qualifications of using energy and making pioneering projects as well qualifying local personnel.