Turkey’s energy dependence on foreign sources is not its destiny and can be reduced if renewable potential is used, Union of Turkish Bar Associations stated.
The final declaration of the “Energy and Law Symposium”, organized by the Union of Turkish Bar Associations, which was held on Nov. 14 to 15, states that Turkey’s potential resources could equal four times the country’s total electricity consumption, if renewables are added to the energy mix gradually.
Improvement in energy efficiency can fix 25 percent of the country's total electricity consumption, which totaled 245 GWh in 2013, the declaration said.
The association claimed that Turkey has a potential of producing 745 GWh capacity, if hydro, wind, geothermal, solar and local lignite resources are fully utilized with separate strategies for all energy sub sectors, combined with increased domestic production of energy materials e.g. photovoltaics to boost renewable energy.
Turkey heavily relies on foreign countries for hydrocarbon resources, which drives almost half of all electricity production in Turkey and costs up to $60 billion a year. Turkey receives 56 percent of its total natural gas from Russia, and additionally is highly dependent on neighboring countries such as Iran and Iraq, for natural gas and oil.
The declaration also highlighted the importance of accurate demand growth predictions while planning policies, stating Turkey's electricity consumption grew by 1.35 percent while it was projected as 5.40 percent by the ministry.
By Nihan Cabbaroglu
Anadolu Agency
nihan.cabbaroglu@aa.com.tr