Clean wind energy in Izmir Turkey

Why this project?

This project installs and connects 22 wind turbines to the local electricity grid in Izmir, Turkey. Two types of General Electric turbines have been placed 60 km north of Izmir. The project aims to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases substantially in the region. The project is estimated to avoid 131,410 tCO₂e over the project crediting period of seven years by preventing the import of natural gas and producing renewable electricity instead. The project enhances local employment during construction and operation.

Promoting the Turkish energy transition

This project makes a substantial local contribution to the shift towards clean energy, as dependency on fossil resources for electricity production is reduced. An estimated electricity net generation of 238,000 MWh per year by the efficient utilization of the available wind energy by project activity replaces the grid electricity, which is constituted of different fuel sources, mainly fossil fuels. The electricity produced by project activity results in an annual estimated emission reduction of 131,410 tonnes of CO₂/year. Moreover, project activity contributes to the further dissemination of wind energy and the extension of national power generation. The generation of electricity started on 21/04/2017.

The project helps Turkey to stimulate and commercialize the use of grid-connected renewable energy technologies and markets. The project also demonstrates the viability of grid-connected wind farms, which can support improved energy security, improved air quality, alternative sustainable energy futures, improved local livelihoods, and sustainable renewable energy industry development. The specific goals of the project are to:

• reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Turkey compared to the business-as-usual scenario;

• help to stimulate the growth of the wind power industry in Turkey;

• create local employment during the construction and operation phase of the wind farm;

• reduce other pollutants resulting from the power generation industry in Turkey, compared to a business-as-usual scenario;

• help to reduce Turkeys increasing energy deficit;

• and differentiate the electricity generation mix and reduce import dependency.

By replacing the consumption of fossil fuels, the project contributes to the conservation of water, soil, flora, and fauna and transfers these natural resources and also the additional supply of these primary energy sources to future generations.

In the absence of the project activity, an equivalent amount of electricity would have been generated from the power plants connected to the grid, the majority of which are based on fossil fuels. Thus, the project is replacing the greenhouse gas emissions (CO2, CH4) and other pollutants (SOX, NOX, particulate matter) occurring from the extraction, processing, transportation, and burning of fossil fuels for power generation connected to the national grid.

Co-benefits

The project helps to accelerate the growth of the wind power industry and stimulate the designation and production of renewable energy technologies in Turkey. It also assists in reducing Turkey’s increasing energy deficit and diversifying the electricity generation mix while reducing import dependency, especially natural gas. Importantly, rural development is maintained around the project site by providing infrastructural investments to these remote villages.

The project's environmental impacts are considered minor because it doesn't harm local animal populations or natural resources. Local authorities conducted an impact assessment, closely monitoring the region's animal colonies. Importantly, there are no endangered species in the project area, nor does it harm areas with such species through transboundary effects.

Local employment is enhanced by all project activities during construction and operation of the wind farm. The project boosts local development and levels of income by generating new income opportunities for community members, both directly and indirectly, during construction, operations, and ongoing maintenance. It actively promotes technology transfer and self-reliance by enhancing the skills of its employees through training. This engagement with the local community also inspires young people to pursue careers that make them eligible for other renewable projects in the region. Furthermore, the project builds expertise within the sector, reinforcing institutional capabilities and bolstering investor confidence in this technology.

Construction materials for the foundations, cables, and other auxiliary equipment are preferentially sourced locally. As a contribution of the project to the welfare of the region, the quality of the electricity consumed in the region will be increased by local electricity production, which also contributes to decreasing distribution losses. Implementation of the proposed project contributes to the wider deployment of wind power technology at the local and national levels. It demonstrates the viability of larger grid-connected wind farms, which support improved energy security, alternative sustainable energy, and also renewable energy industry development.