Wind energy is the fastest growing renewable energy sector in the world, and in the near future, it could be the most cost effective method of generating electricity. Aksan was among the first Turkish law firms to participate in the commercialization of this green technology.

In order to maintain its average growth rate of 7.8% per year, Turkey's economy needs energy. Currently, the country has total installed electricity capacity of about 40.000 MWh, one third from hydroelectric sources, one third from natural gas, and one quarter from coal. The remainder is from wind energy, petroleum gas, and other sources. Demand has been growing by about 9% each year, and inability to meet this demand has caused recurring power shortages.

Turkey has very limited oil and gas reserves, and is therefore looking at renewable energy as a means to improve its energy security and curb dependence on imported gas from Russia and Iran. Wind power has a potential to supply more than double Turkey's current energy consumption. In addition, fueled by preparations for joining the European Union and the recent ratification of the Kyoto Protocol as an Annex I country, policy makers increasingly recognize the potential role of wind power as part of the country's future energy mix.

A Wind Atlas of Turkey by the Turkish Energy Market Regulatory Agency (EMRA) in May 2002 indicates that the regions with the highest potential generating power are the Aegean, Marmara, and Eastern Mediterranean Regions of Turkey, as well as some mountainous regions of central Anatolia.

Recent market developments

Recent years have seen the start of a wind energy boom in Turkey. Following a call for tenders at the end of 2007, a record number of 751 projects were received by EMRA in one day, totaling 78 GWh. Since then, EMRA has issued about licenses for wind energy projects totaling 5,000 MWh.In 2008, 286 MWh of new wind energy capacity were added in Turkey, bringing the total up to 433 MWh. A further 402 MW are under construction and 668 MWh have secured supply contracts for wind turbines. The remaining projects are still securing turbines and awaiting planning permission.

However, experts caution that Turkey's transmission infrastructure needs substantial investment in order to allow such large-scale developments to be connected to the power grid.

Tablo 1.  Total installed wind power capacity

 

Year	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008
MW	19	19	19	20	20	20	50	147	433

Table 2. Operational  Wind Power Plants

Location	Comm. Date	MW	Turbine manufacturer
İzmir-Çeşme	1998	1.50	Enercon
İzmir-Çeşme	1998	7.20	Vestas
Çanakkale-Bozcaada	2000	10.20	Enercon
İstanbul-Hadımköy	2003	1.20	Enercon
Balıkesir-Bandırma	2006	30.00	GE Energy
İstanbul-Silivri	2006	0.85	Vestas
İzmir-Çeşme	2007	39.20	Enercon
Manisa-Akhisar	2007	10.80	Vestas
Çanakkale-İntepe	2007	30.40	Enercon
Çanakkale-Gelibolu	2007	14.90	Enercon
Hatay-Samandağ	2008	30.00	Vestas
Manisa-Sayalar	2008	30.60	Enercon
İzmir-Aliağa	2008	42.50	Nordex
İstanbul-Gaziosmanpaşa	2008	24.00	Enercon
İstanbul-Çatalca	2008	60.00	Vestas
Balıkesir-Şamlı	2008	90	Vestas
Muğla-Datça	2008	10.00	Enercon
TOTAL		433.35

 

Sources: Global Wind Energy Council