Türkiye requires new investments for development of geothermal sector

By Gulsen Cagatay

Türkiye needs more investments for the development of the identified 62,00 megawatt (MW) of geothermal energy potential, which will contribute to the country’s 2053 net zero emissions target, the head of the Turkish Geothermal Energy Association said on Wednesday.

Geothermal energy is classified as a renewable energy source that can heat, cool, and generate uninterrupted power, unlike wind and solar energy.

Türkiye already ranks fourth in the world in geothermal energy installed capacity after the US, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Chairman of the Board of the Turkish Geothermal Energy Association, Ali Kindap, asserted that if geothermal energy potential is realized with new investments, Türkiye could be by far the leading country in the world in this sector.​​​​​​​

Sixty-three geothermal power plants contributed to the country’s 1,700 MW of installed capacity as of the end of last year.

Geothermal development in the Aegean region, the first of which was established in Denizli, in the southwest, has already contributed to greenhouse cultivation, residential heating, thermal spa tourism, and the dehydration of vegetables and fruits.

Türkiye needs more investments for the development of the identified 62,00 megawatt (MW) of geothermal energy potential, which will contribute to the country’s 2053 net zero emissions target, the head of the Turkish Geothermal Energy Association said on Wednesday.

In efforts to increase and incentivize renewable investments, Kindap explained that Türkiye launched the support mechanism, Renewable Energy Resources Support Scheme, YEKDEM, in 2005 to give investors a guarantee of purchase for a determined time.​​​​​​​

He added that this mechanism has helped the private sector boost geothermal energy.

The US Department of Energy defines geothermal resources as either natural or man-made reservoirs of hot water with varying temperatures and depths below the earth's surface.

"Geothermal energy can be used in different ways depending on the resource and technology chosen—heating and cooling buildings through geothermal heat pumps, generating electricity through geothermal power plants, and heating structures through direct use," the department explained.