Turkish Akenerji investing in geothermal in Turkey

Alexander Richter 24 Feb 2009

Turkish company Akenerji (Akenerji Elektrik Üretim A.S.), the largest private energy production company in Turkey and part of The Akkök Group of Companies, announced energy investment plans for the company in Turkey.

“Ahmet Ümit Dan??man, the general manager of Akenerji, said his company would make a total of $1 billion in investments this year, with an additional $2 billion in the next four to five years to enhance power generation capacity. Noting that they expect electricity demand to stay at the same level in 2009 before rallying again, Dan??man said Akenerji will put two more power plants into operation at the end of 2009, followed by three more plants in 2010.”

“Harvesting wind energy potential is important for us,” he emphasized, adding that a 15 MW project in Band?rma should be finished by July 2009. The company is also exploring other renewable sources, such as solar power and hot springs. These ambitious undertakings place Akenerji in the foremost place in the carbon trading market in Turkey. “We are the largest player in the carbon emission market,” Dan??man said.

Akenerji has obtained permits for three years to search for geothermal energy sources in ?zmir and Bursa. The company is looking into feasibility studies for electricity generation from the collection of absorbed heat from underground in these regions. “By 2011, we will have diversified our energy sources,” Dan??man noted, adding, that “the bulk of electricity (though) will come from hydro plants or natural gas power stations.”

“Asked whether Akenerji is looking to invest outside of Turkey, he said the idea is not on the table yet and that the company is focusing on the Turkish market first and foremost because of its high potential.”

Based on various other sources, the company already seems to be utilizing geothermal on the direct use side, e.g. for industrial heating purposes.

Source: Today’s Zaman