"Turkey's import bill will fall with the sun"

GENSED President Halil Demirdağ emphasized that it is possible to reduce Turkey's fossil fuel imports, especially natural gas, thanks to increasing solar energy investments. Halil Demirdağ, President of the Solar Energy Industrialists' and Industrialists' Association (GENSED), stated that every investment in solar energy, which is a clean and sustainable energy source, will greatly reduce Turkey's fossil fuel imports, especially natural gas. Demirdağ stated that Turkey has accelerated its investments in solar energy in his statement and said: "Turkey is very lucky in terms of renewable energy sources, especially solar. It is a pleasing fact that in the last 5 years, this chance has been seen better and the value of the sun has been understood more clearly. The Turkish solar energy sector has stepped into 2019 by succeeding in carrying its installed power to a point of more than 5 GW in solar energy, which it started from scratch. Figures show that every 1000 MW of GES prevents natural gas imports of $ 110 million. Thanks to the 5000 MW of power reached, Turkey has paid $ 550 million less for imported natural gas as of this year. In other words, by generating its electricity from its own energy source, the sun, it prevented its resources from going outside." Demirdağ continued his statement as follows: "Our Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources has also set the goal of adding a total of 10 thousand MW of installed power in 10 years, including 1000 MW every year. In 2023, Turkey's 100th year, the target is to reach 15 GW. This momentum is very pleasing for the sector. Because every investment made in the sun, the domestic and national energy source, paves the way for Turkey's economy. Increasing share of solar in total energy production due to developments in solar energy technology and increasing investments; In addition to the economic benefits such as a decrease in the budget allocated to imports, a decrease in the current account deficit, an improvement in GDP and new employment opportunities, it is also of great importance for Turkey to gain energy independence and ensure security of supply by producing its own energy from its own resources." REGIONAL PRODUCTION SHOULD BE SUPPORTED TO PREVENT ENERGY LOSS Demirdağ emphasized that the share of solar in total electricity production in Turkey does not even reach 2.5 percent and that this rate should definitely increase, and concluded his statement as follows: "For this, GES investments should be supported by creating new capacities and the system that allows houses, workplaces and factories to produce their electricity cheaply from the sun and sell the surplus to the system after using as much as they need should be opened. In addition, in order to prevent electricity losses from transmission lines, regional production should be focused instead of transporting electricity between long distances. Supporting solar energy in all aspects; Just as Turkey lowers its import bill and reduces fossil fuel demand, it also balances the budgets of its individual users. We know that in the future, fossil fuels, which require a lot of labor to be extracted from the source, have no place. The future is in sustainable, clean and green energy. For this reason, Turkey should definitely take its place among the developed countries that have a say in the solar economy, which is expected to reach a size of 5 trillion dollars in 20 years."