Turkey's Energy Flowing into the Sea

Speaking at a conference, Dogus Insaat Inc. Chairman Gönül Talu stated that renewable and indigenous energy sources such as solar, wind and geothermal should be given top priority, calling attention to the fact that currently 75 percent of Turkey’s energy is dependent on foreign suppliers.

In order to increase energy investments, Talu proposed an acceleration of privatization and said that to narrow Turkey’s energy deficit, 8 Atatürk dams, 9 Afsin-Elbistan thermal power plants and 9,700 megawatt-hour natural gas plants must be implemented within the next 8 years.

Talu posited that because river water sources have not been tapped into yet, 13 billion Euros worth of electrical energy is flowing into the sea annually. He said that they believe government subsidized pricing for electrical energy is favorable and that they expect a policy to be put into effect promptly.

Talu also noted that the much passed-due establishment of Turkey's nuclear power plants has become mandatory and, should it be necessary, that the state be involved in the development of the first power plants. (AA)