Power Up: Syria Develops Strategy to Restore Electric Power Industry

The Syrian authorities have developed a strategy to restore the country's electric power industry, which has been damaged by militants, Syrian Electricity Minister Imad Khamis told Sputnik.

DAMASCUS (Sputnik) — According to Khamis, even though the military conflict in Syria had caused substantial damage to the country’s electric facilities, the industry has not been completely destroyed, as the Syrian authorities prioritized defending it against the militants.

"The Syrian authorities have developed a strategy to rebuild the electricity sector, it is in a good state, in spite of all hostile actions. We are working on preserving it in that state," Khamis said.

The strategy involves preserving strategic stocks in the main power plants, Khamis said. According to the minister, the country's transformer stations and power lines are capable of meeting electricity demand for a significant period despite the Syrian crisis.

Syria has been in a state of civil war since 2011, with the country’s government fighting a number of opposition factions and radical Islamist groups, including the jihadist groups Islamic State (IS, or Daesh in Arabic) and the Nusra Front. Both organizations are outlawed in many countries, including Russia.