İzmir plays a key role in Turkey's transition to clean energy, with the clustering of both clean energy resources and companies operating in the main and sub-industry. Aegean Exporters' Associations, which are the pioneers in sustainability among Turkey's Exporters' Associations, continue their attempts to establish Turkey's first Clean Energy Equipment and Service Exporters' Association for a stronger representation of the clean energy sector.
Aegean Exporters' Unions Coordinator President Jak Eskinazi said, “According to the data of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the renewable/clean energy generation capacity in the world increased by 2022 GW (295%) in 9.6. Of this capacity increase, 141 GW (48 percent) came from China. The increase in Turkey is 2.8 GW, 0.9 percent of the increase in the world. China's dominant position in world solar technology and production capacity is getting more and more intense. İzmir has 17 percent of Turkey's wind energy installed power. Especially in Aliağa, Bergama, Çandarlı, Dikili and Menemen, there are new generation investments for clean energy. We can clearly say that the northern axis of İzmir will soon become a center for clean energy production.” said.
Clean energy equipment exports are at an annual level of 1 billion dollars
Eskinazi emphasized that the Clean Energy Equipment and Service Exporters' Association, which they plan to establish within the EIB, will also be a reference point for international capital considering investing in Turkey.
“The field researches show that Turkey's clean energy equipment exports are at the level of 1 billion dollars annually. However, operating in the clean energy sector; There is no special Customs Tariff Statistics Position (GTİP) definition that records the exports made by our companies that produce machinery, equipment, components and parts. Last year, we started our efforts to establish the Clean Energy Equipment and Service Exporters' Association within the EIB. The industry is eager in this regard, and we see great support from the public. We continue the product and service-based analysis of 5 companies exporting clean energy equipment, 200 of which are in Izmir. Bringing this Union to Aegean Exporters' Associations will be among our priorities in the upcoming period.”
Energy independence is only possible with clean energy
Jak Eskinazi said, “Achieving 2030 GW solar and 40 GW wind capacity by 30 will reduce Turkey's foreign dependency in electricity generation by half. It currently has a capacity of 9 GW of solar power and 11 GW of wind power. Energy independence is only possible with clean energy. With the establishment of the Clean Energy Equipment and Service Exporters' Association, we will enable our companies to benefit from government supports, design and brand incentives, foreign marketing activities, certification supports, and most importantly, discuss their own problems under one roof and follow up with the Ministry.” said.
Çandarlı Port can be used as the world's most important production base for offshore wind energy.
President Eskinazi underlines that many countries, especially Europe, have established and activated offshore wind farms.
“According to the World Bank report, there is a total of 54 GW offshore wind energy installation potential in four regions in Turkey. In this context, İzmir promises important opportunities to investors in terms of onshore and offshore wind power plant installations to be made in the future. Çandarlı Port, the foundation of which was laid in May 2011, can be considered as a center that can make Turkey the world's most important production base in offshore wind energy instead of being used as a port in the short term. Because the clean energy sector needs large areas for installation. In Aliağa, on the other hand, hydrogen-based investments, which is the energy of the future, are in question. İzmir is a city where many companies operate in the fields of Solar, Geothermal, Biomass and Hydrogen as well as wind energy.”
Turkey's largest investors operating in the clean energy sector are located here
Jak Eskinazi said, “There are Turkey's largest investors operating in the clean energy sector in Menemen Free Zone and Bergama. A new large clean energy cluster is forming in the BASBAŞ West Anatolian Free Zone, the third free zone of İzmir, which was established in Bergama. A second new free zone is being established in Menemen. The big players of the world will make new investments in these locations. All four of our country's four wind turbine blade factories are in Izmir. Likewise, five of our country's 4 wind turbine tower companies operate in İzmir. İzmir is the city that hosts the only R&D center in the country. Last year, the first R&D center of our country in the wind energy sector started its activities in İzmir. Strengthening the logistics infrastructure with the Istanbul-Canakkale Highway and the Dardanelles is also a great advantage.” he said.