Welcoming the YEKA GES-3 competitions, which have been completed, and the provision of 1,000 MW capacity rights to the solar energy sector, GENSED emphasized the importance of commissioning these investments as soon as possible. GENSED President Halil Demirdağ said, “Every year, 110 million dollars will remain in our country thanks to the additional 1,000 MW SPP.”
The completion of the YEKA SPP-3 competitions, developed within the scope of the Renewable
SHOWED THE TRUST IN TURKEY
In his statement on the subject, Halil Demirdağ stated that the record low prices in the competition were a turning point for the Turkish energy market and made the following assessment: While investors showed great interest in the competitions, also called “Mini YEKA”, mini prices took place. The winning bids ranged from 18.2 cents to 32 cents per kilowatt-hour. The average of the prices was 21.5 kurus/kilowatt-hour. These realistic figures offered are also an indication of the confidence that energy investors have in Turkey.”
INVESTMENTS MUST BEGIN ASAP
Pointing out that the diversity of participants in the competitions is advantageous for the solar energy sector, Demirdağ gave the following information: “The winners of the Mini YEKA competitions include large holdings, industrial organizations and leading players in the energy sector. The interest of qualified competitors is both a guarantee that the projects will come to life and an indication that realistic figures are presented in the competitions. Now the duty of the investors; to invest the capacities they have acquired without wasting any time.”
Stating that realizing investments as soon as possible means keeping 110 million dollars in our country every year, Demirdağ continued as follows: “Investments that do not materialize mean an economic burden. Because every 1,000 MW of SPP capacity that is not put into use means that every year, 110 million USD goes abroad from Turkey. Therefore, it is imperative that the limited green and renewable connection capacities are not blocked for many years.”
NEW YEKA GOODWILL
Referring to the statement of the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Fatih Dönmez that another YEKA SPP competition will be held for the right of 1,000 MW capacity in 2021, Demirdağ said: “This announcement was a great news for the solar energy sector. The YEKA competitions and the YEKA SPP competition to be granted new capacity rights to the solar energy sector in 2021 is a chance for the development of the domestic solar energy sector in Turkey. As the industry, we expect the YEKA SPP competition to be YEKA SPP every year.”
NEW INVESTMENTS SHOULD BE SUPPORTED
Demirdağ, who is the Chairman of the Board of Smart Energy, which operates both as a producer and an investor in the sector, in addition to his duty as GENSED Chairman, conveys the importance of the development of the solar energy sector as follows: We work for the future of our children. Moreover, as a country, we are very lucky in this regard. Turkey should be one of the top 10 countries in the sun with its solar potential, developing technology and willing investors in a short time. The solar energy sector can be one of the locomotive industries for Turkey’s economic growth. For this, new capacities should be opened every year and an environment should be provided for producers to make new investments. In this way, we can operate many more SPPs, close the current account deficit in Turkey with the solar energy we produce, and make Turkey the solar capital of the world.”