International Geothermal Investment Summit Kicks Off in Ürgüp, Nevsehir, 9 May 2025

The International Geothermal Investment Summit, which aims to align Turkey’s geothermal potential with sustainable development goals, will be held on May 9, 2025, at the Perissia Hotel & Convention Center in Ürgüp, Nevsehir. Organized by JEMYAD (Geothermal Energy and Mining Investors Association), the event sets out with the ambition of strengthening the role of geothermal resources in strategic sectors in line with Turkey’s 2053 net-zero emissions target.

Why the Geothermal Investment Summit?

Of the four Priority Development Areas outlined in the 12th Development Plan for the 2024–2028 period, three—energy, agriculture and food, and tourism—directly correspond to the main application areas of geothermal resources. From this perspective, geothermal resource development has the potential to become a driving force of economic growth, particularly given Turkey’s substantial geothermal reserves.

However, realizing this potential requires a revision of the regulatory framework, an improved investment climate, and the mobilization of financing mechanisms. If these conditions are met, geothermal development can:

• Increase domestic and renewable energy production in support of the 2053 net-zero emissions goal,
• Enhance food security and supply reliability through greenhouse-based agriculture,
• Create a new area of tourism investment beyond saturated coastal destinations, contributing to the diversification of tourism and its expansion across the country year-round.

In this context, the International Geothermal Investment Summit aims to bring together all public and private stakeholders to accelerate geothermal investments and strengthen their role in Turkey’s national development.

Around 350 professionals and executives from the private sector, academia, and public institutions are expected to attend the summit, which will take place on May 9, 2025, in Ürgüp, at the Perissia Hotel & Convention Center.

INTERNATIONAL GEOTHERMAL INVESTMENT SUMMIT (IGIS 2025) PROGRAM

08:30–09:00 – Registration and Welcome Coffee

09:00–10:00 – Opening Remarks

• Ömer Tosun – Chairman of the Board, JEMYAD
• Ali Fidan – Governor of Nevsehir
• Murat Kurum – Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change*
• Alparslan Bayraktar – Minister of Energy and Natural Resources*
• Mehmet Ersoy – Minister of Culture and Tourism*
• Ibrahim Yumakli – Minister of Agriculture and Forestry*
• Cevdet Yilmaz – Vice President of Turkey*

10:30–11:00 – Keynote Speech

The Future of Global Energy: The Rising Role of Geothermal and Turkey’s Leadership

Speaker: Mehmet Ögütçü – Chairman, London Energy Club

11:00–12:00 – Session I: Geothermal Energy in Our Net-Zero Target

This panel will explore the current and future roles of geothermal energy in achieving the 2050 climate targets and sustainability goals. Topics include:

• Emission reduction
• Greenhouses and food security
• Energy supply security
• Residential heating
• Trading Emissions

Moderator: Seçil Yildiz (Deputy General Manager, TKYB)

Speakers:

• Mehrali Ecer (Vice President, Climate Change Directorate, Republic of Türkiye)
• Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Bagci (METU / ANKUDA)
• Stephan Garnier (World Bank)
• Jerome Okolo (Safi Energy Africa)
• Elif Baknali (EBRD Turkey)

12:00–13:30 – Lunch Break

13:30–14:20 – Session II: Geothermal Greenhouses and Food Security

This panel will address long-term access to healthy and secure food under the challenges of climate change, water scarcity, and pesticide use. Topics include:

• Turkey’s position in geothermal greenhouse agriculture
• Financing and government support
• Emerging technologies and trends
• Regulatory framework and global examples

Moderator: Ali Sayakçi (Vice Chairman, JEMYAD)

Speakers:

• Volkan Öztürk (Trioinvest)
• Hasan Gümüs (Yayla Agro)
• Arzu Sentürk (Agrobay)
• Murat Yilmaz (Alarko)
• Ezgi Çoban (Ministry of Agriculture)
• Kemalettin Bayat (Ziraat Bank)

14:20–15:10 – Session III: Thermal Tourism

This session will discuss how thermal tourism, with its potential to rival Turkey’s coastal tourism, can become a strategic sector, especially in geothermal-rich regions in Anatolia. Focus will be on:

• Turkey’s position in global and European thermal tourism
• Potential of luxury thermal tourism for income and market diversification
• Financial incentives and support mechanisms
• Recommended regulatory reforms

Moderator: Ömer Tosun (Chairman, JEMYAD)

Speakers:

• Nadir Alpaslan (Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism) *
• Oya Narin (President, TTYD)
• Giulia Devietti Goggia (Relais & Châteaux)
• Mustafa Özdemir (MRP Hotels)
• Ahmet Can Yakar (ICBC)*

15:10–15:40 – Discussion: Geothermal Legislation and Investment Environment

Moderator: Dr. Fatih Tokatli (Indigo Group)

Speaker: Prof. Dr. Mustafa Topaloglu (Özyegin University)

15:40–16:30 – Session IV: Geothermal-Based Electricity Generation – A Look into the Future

Moderator: Ali Kindap (President, JED)

Speakers:

• Hüsnü Dökmeci (Sanko)
• Mustafa Çaliskan (Ministry of Energy – Renewable Energy Division)
• Melih Firat Ayaz (Climate Change Directorate)
• Representative from Zorlu Enerji

16:30–17:00 – Closing & Evaluation

Speaker: Hakan Çelik – CNN Türk

*Subject to confirmation

This high-level event will address geothermal energy regulation, financing, technology, and investment opportunities with an integrated approach. The summit, held in Ürgüp, aims not only to shape Turkey’s geothermal strategy but also to influence the geothermal vision of the broader region.

Source: JEMYAD  via our Turkish language platform JeotermalHaberler