While 2023 was left behind as a challenging year in the clean energy sector, Turkey's electrical energy installed power increased by 2.338 Megawatts (MWe) and reached 106.344 MWe.
Ali Kındap, Chairman of the Board of Geothermal Energy Association (JED), who announced the results of 2023 and his expectations for this year; Stating that when integrated usage headings such as electricity production, greenhouse cultivation, residential heating, thermal tourism, vegetable and fruit drying are included in Turkey, geothermal energy usage is at the level of 7 thousand MW, he said, “This level; Considering that our discovered geothermal resources are at the level of 62.000 MW, it is far below our potential.” said.
Reminding that Turkey is the leader in Europe in geothermal energy potential and the 4th country in the world in terms of installed capacity, Kındap said, “Geothermal energy is a resource that our country almost lacks in existence, even though it could be the leading country in the world by far. We started 2023 with an installed capacity of 1700 MW of electrical energy, and we closed the year with 1700 MW, with an increase of zero. Even with this level, we are the first country in Europe.” he commented.
TARGETS IN THE NATIONAL ENERGY ACTION PLAN ARE BELOW THE POTENTIAL
Kındap said that the geothermal targets in the National Energy Action Plan announced by the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources in January 2023 are well below the potential, and pointed out the key role that geothermal energy will play in achieving the 2053 Net Zero vision, adding that geothermal will be replaced by biomass in 2030 in the National Energy Action Plan. He said that there is a target of 5100 MW installed power, including energy. Noting that this target is far below Turkey's potential, Kındap noted that, as a sector, they are ready to increase the installed power to 5 thousand MW and above in a short time and on their own, and added: “Our discoveries, capital, technology and human resources are ready for this. "Considering the difficulties our country will face in achieving the 2053 Net Zero vision and the key role that geothermal will play, we think that a revision should be made in our national targets," he said.
NEW INVESTMENTS IN GEOTHERMAL ARE ON THE WAY
Underlining that there has been a significant decline in investment in all clean energy sources except solar energy, JED Chairman Ali Kındap emphasized that the problems experienced in accessing financial resources and long permit processes in Turkey were effective in the decline in investment momentum, and that these processes should be accelerated and the way for investments should be paved. he stated.
Ali Kındap, Chairman of the Board of Geothermal Energy Association (JED), stated that there have been very good developments in geothermal usage areas other than energy production, and that they, as the sector, are pleased to follow the work of Organized Agricultural Zones.
Pointing out that the investment process of a total of 41 OTBs in 60 provinces is continuing, Kındap informed that production has started in the Aydın - Efeler and Denizli - Sarayköy organized agricultural regions.
