10th IICEC Energy Conference Held

The 10th IICEC Energy Conference, hosted by Sabancı University's Istanbul International Energy and Climate Center (IICEC) and featuring the Turkey launch of the World Energy Outlook 2019 Report, took place on Friday, 20 December 2019 in Istanbul.

Güler Sabancı, Founding Trustee Chair of Sabancı University:

''In Sabancı University's 20th year, befitting our identity as an 'International Research Center', we are holding IICEC's 10th conference today." she said. She expressed satisfaction that IICEC is once again hosting the Turkey launch of the World Energy Outlook, which is prepared annually by the International Energy Agency and serves as the bedside book of world leaders and the sector. Güler Sabancı continued: "I would also like to announce here that this work, carried out under the direction of Dr. Fatih Birol, will be unveiled within the coming year. IICEC is realizing this work with the valuable contributions of all sector stakeholders through 'collective wisdom'. When completed, we will have brought to fruition a very valuable study that covers the period up to 2040 for the future of our country and our energy sector, reveals the big picture with a long-term perspective, and will contribute to important policy, investment and decision-making processes." she expressed her thoughts.

Güler Sabancı continued her remarks as follows:

"Investments exceeding USD 100 billion in the electricity sector that have tripled our installed capacity, breakthroughs made with the YEKA model in renewable energy, the strong increase we have achieved in the share of domestic resources in electricity generation, and the gains in operational excellence and supply quality have been highly important developments for the future of our sector. However, we still have a long way to go. In electricity consumption exceeding 300 terawatt-hours annually, pricing is important on both the supply and demand sides. We must continue to work on predictability and financial sustainability for both existing and new investments. We must operate the energy sector more efficiently at every stage, including consumption. Along with these, we should support technologies that will contribute to energy efficiency and reduction in carbon intensity. In the coming period, we believe that all stakeholders should focus on these areas in cooperation. We are moving toward an energy ecosystem that is rapidly transforming due to the impact of technology. However, there is one unchanging element: People. When we talk about energy in our country, we are referring to a very broad ecosystem with over 500,000 employees, public institutions, the private sector, NGOs and universities. Our most important asset for the future is our "trained human resources". At this point, as in many fields, we greatly value public-industry-university collaborations in energy as well. With this perspective, IICEC continues its work on the "three-legged stool" model. We can also call this the "Success Triangle". In the coming period, we will continue to focus on high value-added, knowledge and technology-intensive projects and collaborations. We must take our sector, along with our energy resources, toward a better future by using our human resources and technology more effectively. Conducting our strategic and operational work, investments and policies with an understanding focused on the big picture and the people who will build this picture should be the priority of all of us." she stated.