Present situation and potential role of renewable energy in Turkey

Turkey has a rich potential of hydropower, wind and geothermal energy resources. The distribution of these renewable energy sources in operation are hydropower, wind and geothermal 14.802 MW 1002MW and 94 MW, respectively. Turkey possesses a huge hydroelectric resource which is one of the Turkey's major energy assets. Most of the important uses of water in power plants have been developed in the electricity generation. Turkey has a total gross hydropower potential of 433 TWh/yr, which is equal to 13.8% of the total hydropower potential of European. Technically useable and economic potential are 216 TWh/yr and 140 TWh/yr, respectively. The total share of all energy for electricity power generation in 2010 are coal, natural gas, fuel oil and renewable energy, 104,040 GWh, 125,549 GWh, 18,215 GWh, and 86,120 GWh respectively. Among the renewable energy resources in Turkey, biomass and solar energy are also important because their share in total energy consumptions have increased. On the other hand, Turkey has not utilized nuclear energy yet. The current government plans to have a nuclear power plant with a capacity of 1800MW at the Black Sea Port of Sinop. The main purpose of the energy policies is to answer the energy needs of increasing population and growing economy at minimum costs while making energy supply planning. Turkey's specific national energy strategy document and energy policy objectives are outlined in the institutional strategic plans. These strategic plans are energy supply security, regional and global influence in the area of energy and environment protection. The aim of energy policy including renewable are to develop existing energy sources and to avoid dependence on energy imports and to encourage private sector investment and to improve the reliability of electricity supply. The main aim this study will investigate at the present potential of energy resources and future contributions to the national energy consumption in Turkey. As result present energy situation, the renewable energy potential, and the energy politics of Turkey are investigated.