Environmental Technologies 

There is huge potential in the field of renewable energy in Turkey with the use of solar, wind, bio-mass, hydro and geothermal as sources of power, complete with related technology, equipment and services.

• Geothermal potential
  The geothermal energy potential in Turkey is estimated to be about 31,500 MW. There are 470 wells in Turkey and 187 geothermal fields have been discovered. The total geothermal capacity used in Turkey is about 1,342 MW.

• Solar potential
  The solar energy potential evaluations made by the General Directorate of Electrical Power Resources Survey and Development Administration (EIE) based on the data measured by the State Meteorological Services (DMI) during 1966-1982 revealed the following:

- The annual average total insulation duration is 2,640 hours (7.2 hours/day).

- Average annual solar radiation is 1,311 kWh/m²-year (3.6 kWh/m²-day).

- Total solar energy potential in Turkey is 35 MToe per year.

- Solar energy production is expected to reach 602 KToe in 2010 and 1,119 KToe in 2020.

• Wind potential

Turkey’s total wind potential is approximately 88,000 MW and economically viable wind potential is approximately 10,000-12,000 MW. However, wind energy potential in Turkey is largely unutilized, with only 333,35 MW currently in use.

The total installed capacity of wind farms in Turkey has risen significantly from 50 MW in 2006 to 146 MW in 2007. As of September 2008, the total installed capacity has reached 333 MW. The approved overall capacity of wind farm projects totals 3,300 MW, with 143 MW under construction, 1,070 MW with a turbine supply contract and 1,782 MW licensed.

Since the total installed capacity in Turkey is well behind the EU 27 average of 2,094 MW and the EU 15 average of 3,724 MW (2007), the Turkish wind energy market is still in its infancy, offering strong growth prospects. According to the figures issued by the European Wind Energy Association, Turkey has ranked first among other European countries with the highest growth rate of installed capacity. The growth rate of installed capacity in Turkey  was 192% by 2007. This ratio was 18% in EU 27, and 2% in EFTA countries. The high growth rate indicates that Turkey still has room for improvement in terms of utilizing the full market potential of its wind energy.

• Hydropower potential

Currently, Turkey has 172 hydroelectric power plants in operation with a total installed capacity of 13,700 MW, generating an average of 48,000 GW/year, which is 35% of the economically viable hydroelectric potential. 148 hydroelectric power plants with a total installed capacity of 8,600 MW are under construction to generate approximately 20,000 GW annually, representing 14% of the economically viable potential. In the future, 1,418 more hydroelectric power plants will be constructed in order to make use of an additional 22,700 MW of installed capacity. As a result of these, a total of 1,738 hydroelectric power plants with a capacity of 45,000 MW will tame rivers to harness the economically viable hydropower of Turkey.

Turkey's theoretical hydroelectric potential is 1% of that of the world and 16% of that of Europe. The gross theoretical viable hydroelectric potential in Turkey is 433 billion kWh and the technically viable potential is 216 billion kWh. The economically viable potential is estimated at 140 billion kWh.

Law No.5346, entitled “Renewable Energy Resources Law for the Purpose of Generating Electricity” stipulates that RES (Renewable Energy Resources) are wind, solar, geothermal, bio-mass, bio-gas, wave current and tidal power sources suitable for electricity generation, together with hydraulic power generation plants, either canal or run-of–the-river type or with a reservoir surface area of less than 15 km².

• The purchase guarantee covering the produced energy for 10 years will not be below 5 Euro Cent per kWh rate or its TRY equivalent.
• Only 1% of the total licensing fee is to be paid.
• Exemption from annual license fees for the first eight years following the completion date of the facility.
• Electricity may be supplied by the private sector at wholesale prices on the condition of not exceeding the annual power output of the facility in question.
• Priority for system connection.
• Generating units based on renewable energy that are not designed for frequency and voltage control, are not subject to these conditions and requirements.
• Exemption from the liabilities of the Energy Market Regulatory Authority’s Electricity Market Balancing and Settlement Regulation.
• Wind power generation and canal-type hydroelectric power generation plants that sell electricity to wholesale and retail licensees are exempted from settlement.