Turkey is ranked among the top five countries in Europe in renewable energy investments, Energy Efficiency Association (ENVER) President Murat Kalsin said on Wednesday.
'As part of the national energy and mine policy, investments in renewables has carried Turkey to rank among the top five countries in Europe,' he said during his speech at the 12th International Energy Congress and Expo (EIF 2019) in Ankara.
While Turkey ranks fifth in Europe in electricity production from wind energy, it ranks sixth in Europe and 12th in the world in wind-installed capacity.
However, Turkey highly depends on foreign resources for oil and natural gas, creating a burden on the economy.
Kalsin said Turkey's energy imports cost more than $45 billion per year, and underlined that energy efficiency is a significant topic for countries like Turkey, which have limited energy resources.
'It is important for our treasury to secure even 1% of energy efficiency,' he said, and relayed that Turkey's national energy efficiency action plan for 2017-2023 that was prepared by the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources will enable Turkey to use its resources more effectively.
'As part of this plan, we will invest $10.9 billion, but will obtain $30.2 billion in efficiency,' he said.
He stressed that Turkey's energy market has improved over the last 17 years in line with its economic development due to reforms in the energy sector.
'During this period, our government has penned some important reforms and encouraged the private sector to enter the market, creating competition,' he said.
'While electricity consumption per capita in Turkey is 3,698 kilowatt-hours (kWh), this level is around 6,500 kWh in Europe. In order to become one of the top 10 economies in the world, we have to increase our electricity consumption per capita,' Kalsin concluded.
Reporting by Talha Yavuz
Writing by Ovunc Kutlu
Anadolu Agency
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