Turkey’s dependency on fossil fuel imports is no secret but a big problem, one which the government is keen on helping to solve. In recent years Turkey has become known as one of the fore thinkers in the creation of renewable energy, and investment in the sector is growing massively as it becomes recognized as a sector with massive growth potential — the government’s support adds a layer of safety to investments.
The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) feels that interdisciplinary R&D and innovation studies will help Turkey to realise its renewable energy potential, and will also help with Turkey’s vision of becoming an energy corridor.
At the moment Turkey imports 75% of its energy which is equivalent to 99,000,000 tonnes of oil. It is expected to need 218,000,000 tonnes of oil by 2020.
Data released by the Organisation for Economic Corporation and Development (OECD) found that, while the Turkish population makes up 6% of the OECD total, the country contributes just 2% of its energy. The average OECD energy used per capita is equivalent to 0.18 tonnes of oil whereas in Turkey it is equivalent to 0.28 tonnes of oil. The average energy self-sufficiency rate is only 27.5% in Turkey compared to an average of 70% in OECD countries.
All the above data points towards the urgent need for speeding up research and development into energy in Turkey, which has a lot of catching up to do with more developed countries. To do so Turkey must focus on developing the necessary sources to create technological advancements, skills and support institutions.
Turkey has to lower its levels of greenhouse gas emissions by next year in order to meet conditions set by the Kyoto protocol. TUBITAK is hoping to encourage the private sector in Turkey to develop green technologies and still aims to keep its 2023 goal of having Turkey produce 30% of its energy through renewable sources.
It’s likely that this will involve a variety of energy types in order to produce power from solar, wind and hydroelectric sources. Another important energy source is likely to come from hydrogen burning technologies while energy storage and power system capacities are also likely to benefit from R & D. TUBITAK still sees nuclear energy as being important in reducing greenhouse emissions.
The need for renewable energy will only become more important when Turkey enters the EU as it is currently considering an energy tax based on carbon emissions. The new tax is aiming to reduce consumption of fossil fuels and promote renewable energy sources that emit less CO2. However, it is only a proposal at this stage, and Germany has already voiced its opposition to the new rules, because it fears it would affects its automobile industry.
Novrealty is an overseas property agent with a difference; a company focussed on making buying property abroad as easy as it should be.
ibtimes
Leave a Reply