Recent Status of Geothermal Energy Applications in Turkey

Abstract

This article considers recently status of geothermal energy in Turkey. Turkey is the 7th richest country in the world in geothermal potential. The overall geothermal potential in Turkey is about 38,000 MW. But only 2% of its potential is used. Geothermal electricity generation has a minor role in Turkey's electricity capacity as low as 0.09% but the projections foresee an improvement to 0.32% by the year of 2020. Most of the geothermal sites for electricity generation are located in Aydin–Germencik (505 K), Denizli–Kizildere (515 K), Aydin–Salavatli (444 K), Canakkale–Tuzla (446 K) and Kutahya–Simav (435 K). Turkey has increased their installed capacity over the past five years from 140 MWt to 820 MWt, most for district heating systems. This supplies heat to 51,600 equivalent residences and engineering design to supply a further 150,000 residences with geothermal heat is complete.