Summary, Findings and Recommendations

The rapid adoption of solar power in northeast Syria, in areas controlled by the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), has been driven by severe electricity shortages, rising fuel costs, and prolonged drought conditions. With only 160 megawatts of power available to supply continuous demand of over 1,300 megawatts, solar-powered electricity has become a critical alternative, particularly for agriculture and irrigation. Imports of solar panels have surged since 2017, and local markets have expanded, though high upfront costs remain a barrier. Due to increasing reliance on solar power, the AANES has implemented policies to stimulate renewable energy investment, but these efforts target large-scale producers, not households.

Terms of trade between the AANES, Türkiye, and the rest of Syria are uncertain after the fall of Assad. Factors which could affect the solar power value chain include shifting trade routes, customs policies, and fluctuating currency values. The loss of Menbij as a trade hub has disrupted supply chains, with Al-Thawrah emerging as an alternative gateway, albeit with security and cost challenges. Additionally, fuel shortages and high transportation costs further constrain market stability. These evolving dynamics will likely affect the affordability and accessibility of solar power in northeast Syria in the coming months.

The solar energy sector in northeast Syria faces weak regulatory oversight and fragmented governance, allowing counterfeit and low-quality products to flood the market. Authorities lack a clear strategy or policies to promote large-scale solar adoption, while enforcement of existing regulations remains inconsistent. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play a crucial role in supporting solar initiatives, particularly for irrigation and essential services, but their interventions remain small in scale and poorly coordinated. Major challenges disrupting the value chain include complex customs procedures, high costs, poor infrastructure, security risks, and limited awareness and technical expertise.

Formal financial support for solar adoption is largely absent. There are no subsidies or targeted financing schemes. While a newly established social enterprise company offers small interest-free loans, they remain limited in scale. Some merchants provide installment-based payment options, but repayment risks and economic instability restrict their availability. Access to financing remains a key challenge, particularly for farmers and businesses requiring large-scale solar installations.

The growing adoption of solar energy in the northeast has had both positive and negative socio-economic impacts. Farmers reported significant cost savings and increased productivity, with solar-powered irrigation improving water access. The shift from diesel to solar has reduced operational costs and increased profit margins. However, the high initial investment costs remain a major barrier, and unequal access to solar systems has created competitive disparities among farmers.

Environmentally, solar energy has supported water conservation efforts by promoting modern irrigation techniques. It has also helped reduce carbon emissions and air pollution compared to diesel-powered generators. However, solar-powered pumps have contributed to water table depletion and increased salinity in some regions. Additionally, electronic waste accumulation is emerging as a concern, with the influx of low-quality and secondhand panels leading to shorter lifespans and improper disposal. Meanwhile, awareness of solar energy’s environmental risks varies among stakeholders. While some NGOs integrate sustainability measures into their projects, local authorities lack structured plans for solar waste management and land-use regulations. Farmers primarily focus on energy cost savings and are less aware of long-term environmental trade-offs.

This report provides an overview of the solar energy value chain in areas controlled by the AANES. It assesses the socio-economic impacts of solar energy in the region and stakeholders’ awareness of and planning for their potential environmental implications. The report is largely based on qualitative primary data, mainly key informant interviews (KIIs), with the use of secondary data to triangulate findings. It should be noted that this report was developed amid significant political and territorial shifts following the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, impacting data collection. Amid Syria’s political transition, some of the report’s findings contain uncertainties.

Key findings

• Power supply deficit: An estimated 160 megawatts of continuous electricity are available, compared to a demand of over 1,300 megawatts in northeast Syria.

• Rapid solar energy adoption: Northeast Syria has seen a surge in demand and use of solar energy, (particularly since 2017 as global solar equipment has become more affordable) due to severe electricity shortages, high fuel costs, and prolonged drought conditions.

• Positive socio-economic impacts: Farmers report significant cost savings and increased productivity with solar-powered irrigation, particularly as compared to reliance on volatile diesel generators.

• Environmental benefits: Solar energy can hypothetically support water conservation if adopted properly with clear regulations and sustainable practices. Solar energy can also reduce carbon emissions, as a replacement for petroleum-based energy sources.

• High demand but limited affordability: Farmers and businesses increasingly rely on solar-powered irrigation, but high upfront costs and low purchasing power remain challenging. Cost is a major barrier to solar energy adoption, particularly for agricultural irrigation.

• Agricultural competition: Farmers who have integrated solar energy solutions into their practices may be able to undercut farmers still reliant on diesel-powered generators, potentially leading to complaints and tension.

• Weak regulatory oversight: Fragmented and weak governance has led to a market flooded with low-quality and counterfeit solar products, due to a lack of enforcement on standards.

• Trade and supply chain uncertainties: Menbij has historically served as a key hub for commercial trade between northwest and northeast Syria – including solar equipment. Chronic security issues and political shifts in late 2024 have disrupted supply chains, leading to fluctuating prices and reduced accessibility. Shifts in trade routes, customs policies, and fluctuating currency rates also impact the solar power value chain.

• Limited financial support: Formal financial mechanisms, such as subsidies or bank loans for solar adoption, are almost nonexistent. Small-scale social enterprise microloans are available, but sustainability remains a challenge.

• NGO involvement is limited: NGOs support solar initiatives for irrigation, essential services, and training, but interventions remain small-scale and uncoordinated.

• Environmental risks: Solar-powered pumps have contributed to water table depletion, increased soil salinity, and land degradation due to unregulated groundwater extraction.

• Lack of solar waste management: Solar energy systems have an average lifespan of 10–25 years; however, this does not necessarily take into account poor-quality, used, or counterfeit solar equipment and assumes regular maintenance. Disposal of damaged or expired solar panels and batteries is an emerging public health challenge, with no structured recycling initiatives in place for panels.

Recommendations

• Enhance financial accessibility: Advocate for and implement targeted finance schemes, including microfinance initiatives or grant programs to help farmers and small businesses afford solar energy systems.

• Explore, identify and develop new value chains: Identify new sources, both external and domestic (e.g., via Damascus), to ensure consistent supply and affordability of solar products.

• Expand training and capacity building: Provide technical training programs for local technicians and farmers to enhance installation, maintenance, and sustainable use of solar systems.

• Promote quality assurance and standards: Partner with local authorities to regulate the market and prevent the influx of low-quality solar products by enhancing capacity to identify and distinguish counterfeit or substandard items to boost market standards.

• Improve coordination among NGOs: Establish a unified strategy to scale up solar energy interventions, avoiding duplication and ensuring wider community impact. Enhance coordination among NGOs to scale up solar energy interventions and ensure comprehensive support to farmers and communities.

• Support solar waste management plans and solutions: Support solar waste management solutions by developing structured plans for the recycling and disposal of solar panels and batteries, in collaboration with local governments and private sector actors to address electronic waste concerns.

• Integrate water conservation measures: Encourage more sustainable practices such as drip irrigation and better water storage solutions to mitigate water depletion risks. Implement monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to prevent groundwater over-extraction and land degradation.

• Advocate for policy improvements: Engage with local authorities to create incentives for large-scale solar adoption while enforcing quality standards and environmental safeguards.