Sputnik - Iran reportedly intends to construct a 450 MW power plant in Syria's Latakia. The energy officials of both countries have signed a corresponding deal in Tehran.




MOSCOW (Sputnik)�� Iran and Syria have signed a memorandum of�understanding (MoU) on�cooperation in�the electricity sector, providing for�the construction of�a power station in�Syria's Latakia province, SANA news agency reported Tuesday.

The total capacity of�the future power generation station will be 450 MW.

The memorandum also involves the establishment of�five gas turbines, each with�a capacity of�125 MW, in�Baniyas, the assessment of�the state of�the thermal power plant in�Aleppo, and the restoration of�two power stations in�the Deir ez-Zor and Homs provinces.

The deal was signed in�Tehran by�Syrian Electricity Minister Mohammad Zuhair Kharboutli and Iran�s Deputy Minister of�Energy Sattar Mahmoudi.

Iran has expressed its readiness to�take part in�the reconstruction of�the Syrian electricity sector, which has been considerably damaged over�the last several years.

Syria has been in�the state of�civil war for�over six years, with�government forces fighting against�both Syrian opposition groups who strive to�overthrow President Bashar Assad, and numerous extremist and terrorist groups such as�the Daesh (ISIS) and Jabhat Fatah al Sham (al-Nusra Front), both of�which are banned in�Russia.

The restoration of�infrastructure in�Syria became possible after�the liberation of�major militant strongholds, including Aleppo, and the most recent lifting of�the�siege of�Deir ez-Zor as�a result of�military efforts�taken by�the Syrian army and its allies.

In August, Iran's Chamber of�Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture expressed its willingness to�help the development of�Syria's businesses, as�well as�to assist Damascus in�the implementation of�its reconstruction initiatives across�the country.