Damascus, 10 February 2026 - The Government of Japan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched a US$12.4 million for the “Stabilization of Power Supply in Conflict Affected Areas” project to help stabilise electricity supply in Syria by maintaining the Jandar Power Plant, one of the country’s most critical electricity generation facilities.

Funded by the Government of Japan and implemented by UNDP in partnership with the Ministry of Energy, the project will improve the reliability and efficiency of power generation and sustain the delivery of up to 540 megawatts (MW) to the national grid. More reliable electricity is expected to directly benefit approximately 1.84 million people (around 368,750 households) and indirectly support electricity access for an estimated 3.33 million people across Syria.

H.E. Akihiro Tsuji, Charge d’Affaires, Embassy of Japan in Syria highlighted that Japan has consistently supported the Syrian people, guided by the principle of human security. “Japan remains firmly committed to continuing its support, in close cooperation with all stakeholders and partners. The Jandar Power Plant, which was constructed with Japan’s official development assistance in the early 1990s, holds particular significance for the people of Japan. I would also like to take this opportunity to underscore that some of the equipment procured under this project will include high-quality Japanese-manufactured components, reflecting Japan’s technological expertise,” he added.

The 14 years of conflict have severely weakened Syria’s electricity sector. Damage to infrastructure, delayed maintenance, fuel shortages, and limited access to spare parts have reduced generation capacity and disrupted essential services. Reliable electricity remains critical for hospitals, water systems, schools, livelihoods, and economic recovery.

The project will be implemented over 24 months and will focus on the maintenance of Units 1 and 2 at the Jandar Power Plant. Activities include technical assessments to confirm priority needs, procurement and installation of original spare parts, monitoring of installation works, and training for engineers and technicians. These interventions will reduce unplanned shutdowns, improve efficiency, and strengthen national capacity for operation and preventive maintenance.

UNDP Resident Representative a.i. Dr Mohammed Mudawi thanked the Government of Japan for its contribution and highlighted that reliable electricity is a national priority essential for recovery and stability. “The Government of Japan has been a long-standing and trusted partner of UNDP in supporting Syria’s electricity sector and the Jandar Power Plant in particular. Since 2014, Japan has provided more than US$35 million to support electricity supply in Syria by rehabilitating three major power plants, adding 235 MW of generation capacity and reducing losses by around 1,000 MW. These improvements have made electricity more reliable for approximately 5.5 million people, significantly stabilizing power supply from facilities that account for nearly one-third of national electricity production. This new contribution builds on that record and responds to urgent maintenance needs identified by our government counterparts, helping stabilise electricity supply across key governorates and improve daily life for millions of people.”ctricity generated at Jandar feeds directly into the national grid. As a result, the project will help stabilise supply across multiple governorates, particularly Homs, Damascus, Rural Damascus, Hama, and Deir-ez-Zor, which are primarily served through transmission lines connected to the plant. The targeted units operate for around 7,500 hours each year, producing approximately 4,400 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity. Based on average household consumption levels, the planned maintenance, especially the replacement of valves and combustor baskets, will significantly improve electricity availability and reliability in these areas.

Media contacts: 

Dania Darwish | Communications Specialist | UNDP Syria Country Office | dania.darwish@undp.org| syria.parc@undp.org