Present Situation and Future Prospect of Energy Utilization in Turkey

Abstract

This paper deals with renewable energypolicies to meet increasing electricity demand for climate change mitigationand sustainable energy development in Turkey. Turkey has a total grosshydropower potential of 433 TWh/year and 140 TWh/year of this capacity can beused economically. Turkey is very dependent on imported energy resources, suchas oil, gas and coal, which places a great burden on the economy. Turkey’srenewable energy sources are plentiful and extensive, and represent thesecond-largest domestic energy source after coal. Primary renewable energy resourcesin Turkey include hydropower, biomass, wind, geothermal and solar. The share ofrenewables in total electricity generation is 17%, while that of  thermal is 80% in 2009. The projection forthe period 2010-2020 is for annual growth of 8% in total electricitygeneration. The additional generation capacity needed up to 2020 will requirehuge investments. Electricity supply infrastructure in Turkey is being rapidlyextended, as policymakers and investors increasingly recognize the essentialrole of energy in improving living standards and sustaining economic growth.