Turkey to be leader in hydropower

TURKEY may become the leader in Europe installed hydro power by 2023, according to sector professionals. Currently the country ranks ninth in the global list of countries with the highest installed HEPP capacity, and second in Europe after Norway. Turkey can achieve this target, says Taner Ercomert, Hydroelectric Powerplants Business Association (HESIAD) board member.

China is the world’s largest HEPP market with an installed capacity of 352,260 MW, according to the 2020 Hydropower Status Report, published by the International Hydropower Association (IHA). Brazil comes second on the list with 104,139 MW, the U.S. third with 102,745 MW, Canada fourth with 81,386 MW, and India fifth with 49,917 MW. Turkey generates 28,358 MW of hydroelectric energy, ranking behind Japan (49,905 MW), Russia (48,506 MW) and Norway (32,256 MW ). France comes in after Turkey as the world’s tenth largest producer of hydroelectricity with a capacity of 25,519 MW. Turkey targets higher rankings in the HEPP league, , “The new target for 20232030 period,” Ercomert says, “is becoming eighth on the global list and first in Europe.”

INSTALLED CAPACITY TO INCREASE BY YEAR END

“Turkey’s installed power has reached 29,193 MW as of June 1 from its 28,358 MW level at January 1, with the commissioning of new plants in the first five months this year,” Ercomert says, who is also the general manager for HEPP group at Limak Holding. HEPP installed power in the country is expected to exceed 31,000 MW at the end of the year and 32,000 MW in 2021, following the full capacity commissioning of Ilisu, Cetin, Alpaslan 2, Gursogut and other HEPPs, he added.

HIGHEST GENERATION WITH RENEWABLE

According to the Global Hydropower Status Report published by the International Hydropower Association, the global hydropower capacity increased to 1.3 million MW (1.308 GW). Hydroelectric power generation in the world has reached a new record with 4,306 terawatts (TWh).

PREVENTS GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION

In 2019, the world’s hydropower installed capacity increased by 15,005 MW, Ercomert says, adding that the increase in the hydroelectric power generation is 106 TWh compared to the previous year. “HEPPs limit carbon emissions that lead to climate change and global warming,” he says. “HEPPs save 100 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions which would otherwise be generated by the burning of fossil fuels.”