TPI Composites, a US renewables company located in Türkiye's Aegean coastal city Izmir is moving to construct an offshore blade factory with an investment of more than $100 million, Ole Asici Johansen, TPI Composites Senior Director Turkey Operation said on Wednesday.
In an exclusive interview with Anadolu Agency in scope of Turkish Wind Energy Association (TUREB) technical visit to Izmir's wind industrial zone, Johansen told that the company is 100% motivated to build a factory in Izmir.
'The location of possible factory is still a challenge but we are considering and calculating all the possibilities in Izmir,' he said and added that the location should be near the sea lines or coastal line due the offshore blade's large size comparing onshore wind blades.'
He explained that the offshore wind energy blades length are up to 100-150 meters and better to transfer directly to the ports.
'Apart from this, we aim to use 'Made in Türkiye' equipment for this facility,' he said and added that Türkiye's wind energy production market is well developed.
- Wind energy market growing
He said that global wind energy market is growing so fast particularly in Europe.
'That means we will need more wind energy equipment, in order to meet the demand manufacturers are working and creating new opportunities,' he said.
Johansen also stated that Turkish wind energy manufacturers are on track and still have to be all prepared in order to meet the growing global wind and offshore wind energy equipment demand.
- Offshore wind investment to take four or five years
Burak Mucahitoglu, TPI Composites Supplier Chain Director, said that the offshore wind energy market in the world is growing faster than the onshore wind energy market.
He stated that the construction of the blade production facility in Turkey will provide an advantage to the wind energy sector thanks to Turkey's geographical location and its advantages in sea transportation and export.
'Such a facility needs to be built close to the port. In this sense, Izmir stands out as the most suitable location,' he said and added that via coastal line and port it can be exported to the foreign market.
'The probability of being offshore for the domestic market is low, but it may be in the future. Still it is an advantage for the Turkish market to manufacture these wings in Turkey,' he explained.
Pointing out that facilitating the establishment of a factory for offshore wind energy, the preparation of regulations are important for the development of this sector, he said that when established the facility next to a port, there will be a very high export potential.
'I think this investment will be realized four or five years. For Turkey to come to the forefront, it needs to make an attempt on land, ports and regulations. The facility can have 2-3 gigawatts of production capacity. A very good capacity,' he explained.
He also underlined that by investing in facilities like this, Türkiye will also enter the offshore sector successfully.
By Gulsen Cagatay
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr