Turkey to become energy giant in next five-years (20.11.2007)

Supply security in electricity will be increased; maximum benefit will be obtained from renewable energy resources; dependence on import in energy production will be reduced; electricity commerce with regional countries will be developed, and energy productivity will be increased according to the five-year action plan covering 2008-2012 released by Turkish State Planning Organization (DPT) on Monday.

DPT presented the draft plan to related ministries. The plan foresees to complete construction of natural gas transit pipelines; and thus Turkey will undertake an effective role in distribution of natural gas to Europe.

With an understanding of reduction in dependence to foreign countries in energy supply, exploration of oil, natural gas and coal will increase with participation of public and private sectors. Rehabilitation of thermal power plants (which started in 2005) will be completed in 2010, while rehabilitation of hydroelectric power plants will be concluded in 2012.

Project on National Energy Information Management Center will be completed, and all data and information about energy sector will be collected in a single center as well as formal statistics about the sector will be issued from this center.

On the other hand, a process will start to construct nuclear power plants. These power plants will be constructed with financing of private sector.

Required legal infrastructure will be established to regulate and supervise nuclear activities, and necessary institutional structure will be completed.

Meanwhile, construction of natural gas pipelines will be completed and the country will undertake an influential role in natural gas distribution to Europe. Within that scope efforts will continue to realize NABUCCO project. According to the plan, natural gas will be distributed to all provinces of Turkey by 2010.

The New Anatolian / Ankara