100 new power plants come into operation

ANKARA – Anadolu Agency

Some 100 new power plants with 3,061 megawatts (mW) in capacity have come into operation in the first six months of this year in Turkey, half of which are hydroelectric power plants, according to data from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy.

As the hydroelectric power plants will generate 827.7 mW in power, wind power plants will contribute to the total installed power with 244.3 mW and natural gas power plants with 1894.3 mW. Most plants have come into operation in the western province of İzmir.

However, hydroelectric power plants have made up 29.2 percent of total power generation in the first half of this year, the Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs said in a written statement. Hydroelectric power plants also made a 6.1 billion Turkish Lira contribution to the economy, the ministry said, noting that new ones could help close the current account deficit.

Turkey imported $60 billion of raw energy material last year, as it posted a $84 billion current account deficit.