Turkey, China in talks over $12 billion coal energy investment: Minister

ANKARA – Reuters

The Afşin-Elbistan region holds around 40 percent of Turkey’s lignite. AA Photo

Turkey and China are in talks over a $10 billion-12 billion investment deal for the Turkish Afşin-Elbistan coalfield and power plant project, according to Energy Minister Taner Yıldız.

Turkey’s state-owned power generator and the Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) signed a deal over the project in southern Turkey in January 2013. However, Turkey began talks with other companies after TAQA said in August 2013 that it was delaying the investment. China and South Korea are among the countries mentioned for the project after TAQA’s exit.

“This is a huge project. We should design the project right at Afşin-Elbistan field, we have vast knowledge. We are working with China in this respect,” Yıldız said.

According to the Turkish Energy Ministry, the Afşin-Elbistan region holds around 40 percent of Turkey’s lignite and could provide up to 8,000 megawatts of power in south Turkey, if the coal potential is fully exploited.