Taiwanese solar product investors see Turkey safe due to its politic stability and its growing boost for renewable energy investments.
'We believe that Turkish politics are much more stable than in some uncertain regions in the world,' Daniel Lee, the representative of major Taiwanese solar energy delegation told Anadolu Agency.
Political stability ensures a safe environment for foreign investors, according Lee.
Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs Green Trade-Solar Power Delegation, composed by seven major solar companies, paid a visit to Turkish capital, Ankara and eastern city, Gaziantep, between 22 and 29 May, as a sign of interest to Turkish energy market.
Lee stated that Turkey has a big potential in terms of solar power investments as it has great and abundant sun resources. 'The free natural resource is a gift from God and Turkey shall take good use of it,' Lee said, reminding Turkey's location as a bridge between Europe and Asia.
Turkey became a part of Europe's grid system on April, joining the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity, ENTSO-E. Turkey's connection with a part of the world's interconnected grid increases investors' appetite for generating more power in the country, which can be sold to Europe.
Taiwanese companies are also interested in generating and selling electricity in Turkey. 'Some Taiwan companies already set up solar power plants and sell electricity in countries such as Germany, Japan, Thailand, China and Italy,' said Lee.
Turkish government aims to promote local energy investors. 'I think it is 50 percent obstacle, but we understand that it's to protect the local manufacturers,' said Lee.
Joint venture with Turkish companies is also one of the solutions for the investors, according to Lee. 'We hope to find great and loyal local partners to work together,' he said.
The seven solar system companies' annual income revenue in 2014 from abroad overseas is more than $4 billion, Lee informed.
Turkey's energy ministry is planning to install the world's biggest solar power plant with 3,000 megawatts capacity in the country's central Anatolian city of Konya. Yildiz invited the biggest companies in solar energy to take part in the project.
In early 2014, the country also awarded private companies for solar power production licenses with a total of 600 megawatts.
By Ugur Serhan Ozcan
Anadolu Agency
ugur.ozcan@aa.com.tr