DAMASCUS, (SANA) – President Bashar on Monday issued Decree No. 355 for 2011 on establishing the General Establishment for Electricity Transmission.

The Establishment aims at separating the activity of transferring electric power from the activities of generating and distributing it in the Syrian electricity system, with the Establishment assuming the tasks and jurisdiction necessary to do so.

The full text of the decree will be published in official dailies and is in effect as of 1/1/2012.

Minister of Electricity Imad Khamis said that the decree No 355 on establishing the General Establishment for Electricity Transmission will provide great support for the electricity sector in Syria.

In a press conference, Minister Khamis added that establishing the institution will contribute to increasing the economic revenue and efficiency of the power stations and improving the service level for subscribers.

He indicated that the establishment of the institution will also encourage Syrian, Arab and foreign investors to invest in the electricity sector in Syria.

Khamis pointed out that some of the institution's duties will be taking the appropriate measures to meet the needs of power, setting studies for expanding networks and buying the generated power from the public and private power stations.

"The institution is expected to need more than 4000 employees, more than 500 new job opportunities will be available," he said.

On the Ministry's future plans, Khamis said that there are many projects under construction, among are expanding Deir Ali 2 power station with +750 megawatts and expanding Jandar power station to increase capacity by 450 megawatts, adding that work has started at Deir Ezzor power station with a capacity of 750 megawatts.

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