Current Hydropower Potential in Turkey and Sustainability of Hydropower for Turkey's Energy Demand

Abstract

With a young and growing population, low per capita electricity consumption, rapid urbanization and strong economic growth, Turkey for nearly two decades has been one of the fastest growing power markets in the world. Domestic energy consumption accounts for 37% of total energy consumption. For this reason, the renewable sources are very important for Turkey's energy sector. Projections by Turkey's Electricity Generating and Transmission Corporation (TEAS), a public company which owns and operates 15 thermal and 30 hydroelectric plants generating 91% of Turkey's electricity, indicate that rapid (as high as 10% annual) growth in electricity consumption will continue over the next 15 years. Turkey has a total gross hydropower potential of 433 GW, but only 125 GW of the total hydroelectric potential of Turkey can be economically used.