Electricity consumption jumps 11 pct

ANKARA - Anatolia News Agency

Turkey consumed 11 percent more electricity in June compared to the same month last year, according to Energy Minister Taner Yıldız.

“Turkey’s energy consumption almost doubled in the past 10 years,” Yıldız said at a meeting to introduce the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) “Perspectives of Energy Technologies 2012” report at his ministry in Ankara. “Electricity consumption in June went up 11 percent when compared to the same period in 2011.”

In the past decade, Turkey has placed great importance on local and renewable energy resources, the minister said.

“We are continuing to develop a policy and strategy on the matter. Turkey’s consumption of energy will increase more by the year 2023 [the Turkish Republic’s centennial]. Our energy consumption of 229 billion kwh today is expected to be 450 billion kwh by 2023. This implies an investment of $100 billion,” Yıldız said.

Asked about reports that Turkey was trading gold for Iranian energy, Yıldız said: “Turkey has conducted trade with Iran in oil and natural gas in the currency described in relevant contracts. The Turkish Petroleum Refineries Corporation [TÜPRAŞ] makes payment to Iran in Turkish Liras, while the Petroleum Pipeline Corporation [BOTAŞ] makes payment to Iran in U.S. dollars.”