Turkey not planning large dam privatization: Minister

ANKARA

The government is not considering the privatization of large dams, Energy Minister Taner Yıldız says, speaking at a panel in Ankara. AA photo

The government is not considering privatization of big dams, Energy Minister Taner Yıldız has said, speaking at a panel on a planned energy bourse.

The government needs resources in order to cope with times of price fluctuations, Yıldız said, speaking at the panel hosted by the Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research (SETA) on July 23.

Calling for support to energy bourse, private sector’s embracement to the establishment was not enough, the minister said. Countries that Turkey has energy agreements with should also support the initiative, the minister said, citing a letter sent to Russia, to which Turkey was still awaiting a response.

The Turkish Electricity Transmission Company (TEIAS) and Bourse Istanbul will own a 30 percent stake each in the energy bourse operator, planned to be set up with a capital of some 40 million Turkish Liras. The private sector will also take a share, as Taner Yıldız had said earlier, adding that over 100 private sector representatives have already applied to take part the in the bourse.

“This bourse will be not only for Turkey, but also the region, and will be of great importance in enhancing a fully transparent and competitive market,” Yıldız had said.