The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria has been in existence for 12 years. The revolution began there in the course of the Syrian uprising. An autonomous adminstration was established in the three Kurdish cantons of Afrin, Kobane and Cizire. It now controls around a third of Syria’s territory. It unites different ethnicities, religions and languages under its umbrella. It is therefore a glimmer of hope for democratic reconstruction in Syria.
Since its foundation, the region has had to defend itself against numerous threats. In addition to the conflicts with the Assad regime, it is primarily the wars with Turkey and the so-called Islamic State. Due to the Syrian civil war, the region is also affected by an embargo that severely impairs basic supplies. Despite all these adversities, society is constantly evolving and developing.
However, the region is now facing existential challenges. The energy supply in particular is threatened with collapse. Turkish air strikes have largely destroyed the power plants and substations. Electricity is in short supply and is mostly generated by dirty diesel generators. They also ensure the supply of groundwater via pump systems. The civilian population suffers from a lack of electricity and water on a daily basis, but agriculture – in a region already hardest hit by climate change – is also severely affected.
But we can do something. With clean energy from the sun in Syria. The installation of decentralized solar panels will help to supply municipal facilities, hospitals, schools and women’s shelters with electricity.