"One-Third of Consumed Energy Used in Industry"

Energy and Natural Resources Minister Fatih Dönmez attended the Energy Efficiency Awards Ceremony organized by İstanbul Sanayi Odası (İSO)

In his speech at the event, Dönmez noted that every additional source of foreign origin creates a burden on the economy, and stated that they are undertaking serious initiatives to meet Turkey's continuously rising energy demand from domestic and renewable sources. Dönmez stated that USD 10 billion in investment will be made over 10 years under the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan and that this will generate returns three times over. He said, "I don't think there is any other sector with such rapid returns. In 2017-2018, we invested USD 1.3 billion in energy efficiency. In return, we achieved savings equivalent to 900,000 barrels of oil equivalent, or USD 309 million." Dönmez said that one third of energy consumed in Turkey is used in industry, and that efficiency improvements in industry are therefore extremely important.

"Since 2009, support totaling TRY 25 million has been provided to 229 projects with an investment amount of TRY 104 million, resulting in savings of TRY 89 million."

Noting that they provide support for energy efficiency improvement projects in industry, Dönmez said, "Productivity Enhancement Project support covers projects with a total cost of at most TRY 5 million. We provide 30 percent of this cost, or TRY 1.5 million, as a grant to our industrialists. Since 2009, 229 projects with an investment amount of TRY 104 million have received support totaling TRY 25 million. The savings achieved amounted to TRY 89 million. Without these savings, we would have had to import an additional 600 million cubic meters of gas." he said. Dönmez noted that industrialists can monitor developments in the electricity and gas markets and purchase energy at more favorable costs, continuing as follows: "Last year, our industrialists who purchased electricity through bilateral agreements in the market instead of remaining on tariffs paid approximately TRY 400-450 million less. Free market conditions are working in electricity and there are more than 100 electricity suppliers in the market. In this regard, our industrialists have the opportunity to closely monitor electricity and gas markets and access energy sources." Noting that they aim for industrialists to participate in nuclear power plant construction, Dönmez added that work is continuing to ensure that materials used in areas other than nuclear reactors are sourced domestically to the maximum extent.

İSO Energy Efficiency Awards find their winners

In the Large-Scale Energy Efficiency Projects category, the first-place award went to Türkiye Petrol Rafinerileri A.Ş. İzmir Refinery for the "Energy Savings through U-7000 Revamp" project, and the second-place award went to Besler Gıda ve Kimya Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş. for the "Sustainability in Energy through High-Efficiency Ice-Cooled Vacuum System" project. The third-place award was given to Tofaş Türk Otomobil Fabrika A.Ş. for the "Recovery of Waste Heat with Zero Footprint Using Heat Pumps" project, while the fourth-place award went to Türkiye Şişecam Fabrika A.Ş. for the "Industry 4.0 and Internet of Things Application in Şişecam Energy Monitoring System" project. The Jury Special Award was presented to Organik Kimya Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş. for its "Efficient Use of Electricity and Natural Gas Sources" project.