In one week, $1 billion worth of power plants, including coal, solar, wind, biomass and geothermal, were launched in various cities of Turkey, said the Energy and Natural Resources Minister, Friday.

Taner Yildiz stressed the importance of local sources in reducing energy impot bills and said that the country’s energy targets can only be reached by cooperating with local investors and by increasing the use of local sources.

Last year, 5,000 megawatts was added to the country's capacity while the number reaches 4,200 this year, he added.

Turkey saved $850 million on natural gas imports due to electricity production from wind power plants in the country in 2014, Yildiz said.

“One of the most important energy sources is geothermal, as it not only includes electricity production but also heat,” Yildiz said.

Turkey will save $1 billion on natural gas imports with the launch of geothermal plants in 2015, he added.

Turkey increased its geothermal target from 600 megawatts to 1,000 megawatts by 2023 as the current capacity is 420 megawatts and is growing more than previously predicted, he said.

Yildiz spoke at the opening ceremony of Efeler geothermal plant, by one of Turkey's leading energy companies Guris Holding. The plant is Europe’s second and Turkey’s biggest geothermal plant. The opening ceremony was for the second and third units in Aydin province, located in western Turkey.

The current capacity of the plant reached 92.4 megawatts. The fourth phase of the plant is planned for July while the fifth unit is to be opened in August of this year.

In total the plant will have 232 megawatt installed capacity and produce 1,920 gigawatt hours of electricity a year. The plant aims to heat and power 825,000 offices and homes.

By Zeynep Beyza Karabay

Anadolu Agency

zeynep.karabay@aa.com.tr