Turkey's electricity production increased by 21.1% in May compared to the same month of 2020, according to the latest data reported by the country's energy watchdog.
Total electricity production increased to approximately 23.9 million megawatt-hours (MWh), from 19.7 million MWh in May 2020, Turkey's Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EMRA) announced in its electricity market report for May 2021.
Turkey produced electricity from several sources: 29.1% from natural gas, 24.3% from hydropower, 14.4% from imported coal, and 14.4% from lignite. Wind, geothermal, biomass, hard coal, asphaltite, solar power and fuel oil generated the remaining share.
Electricity consumption in May rose to 19.5 million MWh, marking a 26.9% increase compared to the same month of 2020. Industrial sector consumption held the largest share at 43.4%, followed by the residential sector at 24.9%. The commercial sector ranked third with 20.7%, while agricultural irrigation and street lighting accounted for the remainder.
The increase in electricity production and consumption in May this year compared to May last year reflects the slowdown after the first coronavirus case was reported in Turkey in March last year when the country announced a country-wide lockdown which slowed down economic activity.
Turkey's installed electricity capacity was up 6% in May from the same period of 2020.
Natural gas power plants comprised 28.3%, while 25.7% came from hydropower plants and 11.2% from lignite power plants. Wind, imported coal, hydro, geothermal, biomass, hard coal, solar power, asphaltite, fuel oil, naphtha, LNG and diesel also contributed to installed capacity.
By Firdevs Yuksel
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr