Turkish minister: Efficient use prevents 'energy poverty'

ISTANBUL

Underlining that only correct energy policies could stop "energy poverty," Turkey’s Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said Tuesday that Turkey has come a long way on energy efficiency in a short period of time.  

Delivering the opening speech at the United Nations conference pn "Sustainable Energy for All," Yildiz pointed out that since the global financial crisis in 2008, technologies for renewable energies and energy efficiency have significantly gained in importance.

"Turkey also focuses energy efficiency issues and has the potential to save up to $15 billion each year in its energy bills," said Yildiz, adding that Turkey is still not consuming energy efficiently.

He said Turkey must adopt policies which will create grounds for people, for investors and for technology producers to benefit from Turkey’s wind, solar, rain, geothermal and biomass resources.

Renewable energy accounted for 10 percent of Turkey's total consumption in 2012, according to March data from the European statistical authority, Eurostat. Turkey aims to reach 30 percent share of renewable energy in 2023.

Yildiz also emphasized during his speech that global political and humanitarian crises are also reshaping the world's energy balances.

"The events taking place in Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Tunisia, Libya and Ukraine, are all re-organizing energy resources," said Yildiz. He added: "For instance, potential sanctions of Russia against Ukraine will also affect the countries that are supplied with energy through Ukraine."

Russia supplies approximately 30 percent of Europe’s natural gas; another 60 percent transits through Ukraine.

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