Turkey's electricity production increased by 3.3 percent in January compared to Jan. 2017 to meet the country's growing electricity demand, according to Turkish energy watchdog data on Friday.
Turkey's total electricity production reached approximately 26.1 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) in Jan. 2018 year-on-year from 25.3 billion kWh, Turkish Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EMRA) announced in its Electricity Market Report for January 2018.
Due to a production decline from hydroelectric power plants in recent months, around a decline of 34.1 percent compared to January 2017, Turkey increased use of natural gas and hard coal combined power plants to make up the supply shortfall.
Turkey produced its electricity from several resources -- 34.1 percent from natural gas, 22,2 percent from hard coal, 14 percent from lignite and 11.8 percent from hydroelectricity power plants. Wind, geothermal and solar power plants supplied the remaining share of production.
Consumption in the industrial sector made up the biggest share with 42 percent, followed by the commercial sector with 29 percent. Residential consumption came third with 26 percent while lighting and agricultural irrigation accounted for the remaining consumption.
Turkey's installed electricity capacity increased 5.3 percent in January 2018, compared to same month of 2017. The capacity comprised 32.2 percent from natural gas power plants, 24.3 percent from hydroelectricity power plants, and 11.4 percent from lignite power plants.
Hard coal, hydro, wind, geothermal, fuel oil, biomass and solar power also contributed to Turkey's installed capacity.
By Muhsin Baris Tiryakioglu
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr