Turkey's elec. prod. from unlicensed solar up 23.8%

By Ebru Sengul

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey's electricity production from unlicensed solar power plants increased by 23.8% in the first half of 2019 compared to the same period last year, according to Energy and Natural Resources Ministry late Tuesday.

The ministry said on Twitter that unlicensed solar power plants produced 4.410 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity between January and June this year.

The highest production in the first half of the year was recorded in May with 985 GWh, while the lowest production was seen in January with 324 GWh, according to the ministry.

Turkey, in an effort to economically maximize the use of domestic and renewable energy resources, is gradually increasing its power generation capacity from local and renewable resources.

The country increased its electricity production from local and renewables sources in the first half of 2019 to 66.2% compared to 50.8% for the same period last year, according to Energy and Natural Resources Ministry's recent data published in July.

The share of renewable sources in electricity production, which was 32.5% in 2018, is now targeted at 38.8% by 2023, in accordance with Turkey's 11th development plan, covering the period 2019 to 2023.