US firms interested in Turkey’s energy sector

If Turkey were interested in organizing other nuclear power plant tenders, companies from the United States would be interested, the U.S. ambassador to Turkey told Turkey’s energy minister on Wednesday night.

“The U.S. government would most definitely support companies with such initiatives,” Ambassador James Jeffrey said during the visit to Minister Taner Yıldız’s office in the Turkish Electricity Transmission Company, or TEİAŞ, headquarters in Ankara.

Yıldız said that they evaluated energy developments in the region during the meeting. One of the topics discussed was a two-day meeting that is expected to be held in Istanbul on June 3. Several Western companies, including U.S.-based companies, are expected to participate in the meeting, which will focus on energy productivity.

Other topics of the dual meeting on Wednesday included the oversight of natural gas and petroleum sources developments in Russia, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Iran and Iraq.

When asked about the energy collaboration between Turkey and Iran, Jeffery said that the U.S. was very outspoken about the issue. “As long as the nuclear power plant struggle with Iran continues, the U.S. does not have a warm approach to energy collaboration with Iran. That perspective is no surprise. However, not all friends of the U.S. feel the same way.”

If Iran would be kicked out of the Nabucco pipeline project, a proposed natural gas pipeline aimed at lessening European dependence on Russian energy, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan or Iraq could provide a similar source, said Jeffery.

Related to energy deals signed between Iran and Turkey, Yıldız said that all inked deals were to secure Turkey’s advancement in natural gas. Turkey has been holding talks with many countries including Russia, Qatar, Iran, Iraq, Russia, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan.

Technical studies related to The South Pars, a natural gas condensate field located in the Persian Gulf, continue, said Yıldız. “We will share with the public the results of the feasibility studies conducted on the world's largest gas field,” he said.

Developing one project with one ally would not cut in front of developing another plan with another ally thanks to the capacity and the geographical locating of Turkey, said Yıldız.

Turkey ramps up wind energy

BRUSSELS – Anatolia News Agency

Turkey’s electricity production capacity from wind turbines increased to 801 megawatts last year. Only two years ago that figure was standing at 147 megawatts.

Turkey, in 2007, was ranked 16th in the world with its wind energy capacity, according to the European Wind Energy Association, or EWEA. The county stepped up a few notches to rank 13th in 2009, and left Belgium, Norway and Poland behind.

Last year’s top wind energy producer was Germany, with 25,700 MW. Spain followed Germany’s lead with 19,149 MW. Italy ranked third with 4,850 MW.

Turkey is also increasing its efforts in renewable energy, in part due to an energy efficiency law passed by the Turkish government in 2007 and financial assistance received in 2009 from the World Bank, which is investing $600 million in renewable sources, including biomass, hydro, wind and geothermal, reported the Environmental Leader on its Web site.

EWEA is getting ready to hold a workshop in Ankara’s Bilkent University on Tuesday at 10 a.m. The workshop, which is titled “Integrating wind power in Turkey,” will focus on wind development in Europe and Turkey. Attendees will hear from panelists representing the Turkish government and energy administration, European and Turkish wind energy authorities, developers and manufacturers.