The list of prominent guests at the opening in Çakıt on October 12 was long. The Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yıldız, the EMRA President Hasan Köktaş, the Adana Governor Ilhan Atış and the Norwegian Ambassador Cecilie Landsverk were all there to cut the ribbon and inaugurate the newly finished hydro power plant. Local citizens were also present at the opening and helped give a warm welcome to the delegation from the cold north.
A growing energy demand
- The opening of this hydropower plant is closely linked to Turkey’s growth. We need further investment in the energy sector, and by using domestic and renewable resources we can contribute positively to our country, Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yıldız said in his opening speech.
He greeted the local community and the representatives from Norway, and pointed to Turkey’s need to mitigate its dependence on oil and gas. Use of renewable and domestic energy resources is highlighted in the Turkish authorities plan to meet the growing energy demand. Yıldız stated that foreign capital has helped Turkey to grow and become a safer investment area.
- You have made the right choice to invest in our country. I hope it will help us to continue to prosper, the Energy Minister added.
Providing power to 32 000 Turkish homes
- I am honored to be here today in the presence of the Minister, distinguished representatives from Ankara, local leaders and representatives from the community. This opening marks an important milestone for Statkraft, as it is our first hydropower project in Turkey, Aaser said in his opening speech.
Local school children assisted Chairman of the Statkraft Board Svein Aaser and Energy Minister Taner Yıldız at the Çakıt opening. Photo: Hanne S. GoldsteinCEO Rynning-Tønnesen further explained that the power plant will produce power equivalent to the annual consumption of 32 000 average Turkish households, and stressed that the project is designed to make sure that the people in the surrounding communities will benefit from it, both socially, economically and environmentally. The first social project taken on by the company in the local community involves renovation of a school. Children from the school participated in the gift ceremony on the opening day.
A clean and renewable energy resource
- The advantages of hydro power are many: it is renewable, it is clean, it is reliable, it is flexible and it can serve many generations with low-cost electricity from a local resource. Development of hydropower creates growth locally, it meets energy demand on a national level and it contributes to environmentally friendly energy solutions on a global scale, the Chairman continued.
The Çakıt hydropower plant is the first out of at least four more plants to be opened by Statkraft in Turkey in the coming years. With 20 out of totally 550 MW to be operated by Statkraft, this power plant represents a modest, but important, start for the company’s electricity generation in Turkey. Aaser described Turkey as shining with possibilities and business opportunities, and stressed that the company’s ambition is to be a long term investor in renewable energy in the country.
- Turkey’s great potential for renewable energy, in particular in the fields of hydropower, makes your country a highly prioritized market for Statkraft, Rynning-Tønnesen conluded.
Powered by nature
Because of its rich resources in oil and gas, Norway is known as an energy nation world-wide. However, thanks to the country’s fortunate geography and climate, with a long and windy coastline, large precipitation and many powerful waterfalls, Norway can supply its houses with clean electricity. In fact, almost 100 % of the electricity generation in Norway comes from renewable hydro power.
Director General Ove Flataker from the Norwegian Petroleum and Energy Ministry was also present at the Çakıt hydropower plant opening. He thanked the national and regional authorities on behalf of the ministry, and drew a parallel between Turkey and Norway as being two of the countries in Europe with the largest hydro power potential.
- Hydropower has been important for Norway for more than 40 years, making out the backbone of Norway’s industrial development, Flataker pointed out.
Long experience to meet the future
Aaser from Statkraft looked even further back in time, to 1895 when the Norwegian state bought its first waterfall to supply electricity to the local railway line.
- This first harnessing of waterfalls in Norway at the end of the 19th century marked the start of a development that has given Statkraft more than 100 years of experience in developing hydropower, he explained.
Statkraft is the first Norwegian company to invest in renewable energy in Turkey, but it might be followed by others. Providing valuable knowledge and years of experience, they can all help Turkey to harness from its clean and renewable resources. The foundation might have been laid for a more renewable energy future.
The newly opened hydropower plant in Çakıt will provide 32 000 Turkish homes with electricity from a renewable resource. Photo: Hanne S. Goldstein