Current state and future prospects of biomass energy in Turkey

Abstract

Today, biomass energy continues to be the main source of energy in many developing nations, particularly in its traditional forms, providing on average 35% of the energy needs of three-quarters of the world’s population. This rises to between 60 and 90% in the poorest developing countries. However, modern biomass energy applications are increasing rapidly both in the industrial and developing countries, so that they now account for 20–25% of total biomass energy use. On the other hand, biomass is the major source of energy in rural Turkey. Biomass is used to meet a variety of energy needs, including generating electricity, heating homes, fueling vehicles and providing process heat for industrial facilities. Biomass potential includes wood and animal and plant wastes. The total biomass energy potential of Turkey is about 33 million tons of oil equivalent (Mtoe). The amount of usable biomass potential of Turkey is about 17 Mtoe. The electrical production potential from bioenergy sources are 73 MW in 2014 and corporate income and represent more than 360,000 jobs. This study shows that there is an important biomass energy potential for climate change mitigation and energy sustainability in Turkey.