Renewable energy ‘potential used low’

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

Turkey’s renewable energy map, which was prepared by Energy Coordination Agency (ECA) and excerpted from World Bank website, is seen.

As the government incentives to renewable energy means remain low and came late, World Bank data showed Turkey currently utilizes just 5 percent of its projected total potential in this area.

The Bank, which has mobilized more than $1 billion in Turkey for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects, has released a report on country’s progress in renewable energy, in which it welcomed the country’s diversified energy strategies, while drawing attention to issues awaiting improvement.

The efficient utilization of wind, solar or hydro energy means suggest a substantial path for energy-hungry Turkey, which aims to procure 30 percent of its power needs from these sources, according to the sector beneficiary.

“With much of Turkey’s energy supply coming from outside of its own borders and fossil fuel consumption in the country on the rise – leading to rising levels of carbon dioxide – this shift toward locally produced, renewable energy and improved energy efficiency represents a potential triple win for the country – simultaneously increasing domestic energy generation, decreasing Co2 levels, and spurring growth among Turkey’s small, medium, and large energy companies,” the statement read.

However, despite the government’s remarks declaring full support for renewable energies, the current regulations – laws and incentive schemes – and the awaiting projects prove the contrary.

There is an apparent progress as Turkey ranked first in the world in terms of growth rate for wind energy plants and “over the last decade the amount of electricity being produced by privately-owned facilities has expanded nearly 18 fold – increasing from 1,490 gigawatt hours (GWh) in 2002 to 26,235 GWh in 2012.”

As the low figures indicate, the current levels achieved are still far from impressive.