Hama-Sana
The panel discussion, which was held in Hama City Council, entitled (Alternative Energy and Small Enterprises as a Solution to the Problems We Face in the Light of the Economic Blockade), focused on the necessity of expanding alternative energy projects and establishing small projects that support the economy and generate job opportunities.
Eng. Ghassan Khalif, an investor in alternative energy, reviewed during the symposium the economic feasibility and high productivity of alternative energy projects, especially solar energy in generating electricity and relieving pressure on industrial electrical energy, pointing out the need to take into account and observe the pre-installation of solar energy equipment in all licenses for residential, commercial and industrial buildings under review. Building because of its significant impact in securing electrical energy at the lowest costs and the best return.
Khalif indicated that if a collective solar energy project is installed within one building, the costs will be much lower compared to the installation of solar energy equipment individually, explaining that the installation of a solar energy project for one building comprising 8 apartments, its cost does not exceed 20 million Syrian pounds, at a rate of 2.5 million Syrian pounds. Syria for each subscriber, while the estimated installation of solar energy for each house is more than 3.8 million Syrian pounds.
Dr. Muhammad Ubadah Al-Murad, the economic researcher, explained that small projects represent a feasible solution to support the national economy and secure job opportunities for young people, as they have a limited financial cost and are easy to implement if the conditions and requirements of their activities are met, and to find sources of support and funding for them, pointing to the importance of the recent step launched by the government of granting loans to project owners. He considered that the establishment of a fund to support alternative energy resources for the owners of their projects without interest is in itself an important step in support of small projects and a great opportunity to establish them as well.
He indicated that small and medium enterprises occupy about 57 percent of the workforce in Syria and contribute 41 percent of the gross domestic product, which makes them a mainstay for economic and social development.
Abdullah Sheikh
