West Asian countries such as Jordan and Syria, as well as some sub-Saharan African countries, have expressed interest in the state-run Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) supplying electricity to their villages, according to a source familiar with the matter.

This comes as power finally reached all 597,464 census villages in India on April 28, paving the way for universal household illumination. The nodal organisation that carried out the plan is REC, India's largest power sector lender.

"Given our experience and expertise in the field of electrification, we are prepared to provide a range of services and financing for developing power sectors in other emerging economies," stated P.V. Ramesh, chairman and managing director of REC.

Syria is interested in the electrification rehabilitation work because its power sector has been severely damaged as a result of the civil conflict.

The West Asian country has been embroiled in a brutal civil conflict for the past seven years. The unrest began when the so-called Arab Spring, or pro-democracy rallies that toppled long-ruling presidents in Tunisia, Egypt and other nations in the region, moved to Syria, with the opposition Syrian National Council pushing to depose President Bashar Hafez al-Assad.

According to Mint on August 12, 2016, India is interested in restoring infrastructure in Syria, including a power plant.

"We will extend our support and help in such countries," claimed an unnamed REC executive.

Jordan has asked assistance from REC since some places are still without electricity. Furthermore, certain Sub-Saharan African countries are interested in having REC handle the full rural electrification package, from financing to transfer of technology to comprehensive project summary (DPR) development to execution.

REC's loan book totalled Rs2.24 trillion in the nine months ending December 31, with a net valuation of Rs36,567 crore.

India has increased its interaction with Jordan, which is considered part of India's extended western neighbourhood. In February of this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Gulf Arab republics of Jordan, Palestine, the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

"We are working in several countries on transmission issues through Power Grid Corp. of India Ltd (PGCIL). We are willing to provide consulting services to anyone who request assistance through PGCIL and REC," said power secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla.

PGCIL, a state-run company, already operates in 20 countries through its consulting division.

Some of its clients are from Kenya, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Afghanistan. For example, PGCIL is building a 220KV transmission link in Afghanistan from Kabul to Pul-e-Khumri, which will send power from Uzbekistan to Afghanistan.