Zorlu Enerji's R&D Projects Receive International Fund Support

Placing R&D and innovation at the center of its sustainable growth strategy, Zorlu Enerji ranks among Turkey's most successful industrial organizations through grant support it has received under the Horizon Europe Program, established by the European Union to support research, development and innovation projects. Since 2018, Zorlu Enerji has received grant support totaling EUR 4.14 million and approximately TRY 30 million across 17 R&D projects, continuing its R&D efforts to develop groundbreaking solutions in the environment, energy and digital sectors.

Through 6 projects implemented under the Horizon Europe program, Zorlu Enerji has received a total of EUR 2.41 million in grant support, while simultaneously managing approximately 25 R&D projects across Zorlu Enerji and group companies to continue strengthening its expertise in the field. Ural Halaçoğlu, Head of Geothermal Resources, R&D and Innovation at Zorlu Enerji, stated: "We continuously develop our capability to integrate R&D into all our business processes. In this direction, we closely follow best practices worldwide and focus on strengthening our collaborations."

Zorlu Enerji's 6 R&D projects receive EUR 2.41 million in grant support
Noting that Zorlu Enerji is carrying out projects focused on decarbonization, digitalization and decentralization, Ural Halaçoğlu, Head of Geothermal Resources, R&D and Innovation at Zorlu Enerji, stated: "As an R&D unit, under the Horizon Europe program, which is the EU's largest research and innovation program, we have qualified for grant support totaling EUR 2.41 million through six separate R&D projects, including JIDEP, SEHRENE, nGel, EOLIAN, Twinvest and VERTI-GO projects to date. In 2023, our nGel project, which has the highest budget to date on a project basis with EUR 1.91 million in support, received grant support under this scope. Additionally, our WindTwin project, which we applied to the Eurogia23 Program as lead coordinator for the first time, and our JESKE project qualified for grant support under the TUGEP Program, which was opened for the first time by TENMAK (Turkey Energy, Nuclear and Mining Research Institute). Both projects are currently at the contract stage. We continue our work with determination through our R&D portfolio supported by national and international funds and diversifying with each passing year."

Approximately 20 R&D projects are being managed
Noting that they continue their work with an R&D portfolio supported by national and international funds, Halaçoğlu stated: "As Zorlu Enerji, we carry out our work focused on renewable energy sources. This approach is a natural reflection of our company's long-term future vision. In 2017, while the construction and commissioning process of the Kızıldere 3 Geothermal Power Plant was underway, we made contact with TUBITAK. Toward the end of that year, we were informed about the Horizon 2020 Program and evaluated the matter together with our senior management. Following this process, with our GECO (Geothermal Emission Control) project, we took our first international R&D collaboration step. Today, four projects involving Zorlu Enerji have been successfully completed under the European Union's Horizon 2020 framework program. While we have three projects supported through TUBITAK under the EUREKA cluster, we currently have nine R&D projects supported by national and international funds in progress. On the side of our group company Osmangazi Elektrik Dağıtım A.Ş., four EU-supported R&D projects have been successfully completed, while two new projects were added to our portfolio this year. In addition to all of this, we have approximately 15 EPDK-supported R&D projects. In summary, as Zorlu Enerji and group companies, we are managing approximately 25 R&D projects simultaneously."