Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar stated that the new electricity tariff will start on February 1 and that there will be no change in the bills of 42 million out of 40 million electricity subscribers.
Answering questions from journalists at the meeting organized by the Anatolian Broadcasters Federation, Minister Bayraktar said that they were trying to provide support to citizens in a more equitable manner.
Cost Based Model
Bayraktar emphasized that with the new electricity tariff that will start on February 1, groups exceeding 2024 kWh per month and 417 thousand kWh per year in total consumption in 5 will pay the real cost, and said, “We are implementing a regulation that will affect 3 percent of subscribers. There will be no change in the bills of 40 million subscribers.”
Province Based Grading
Bayraktar, who stated that they are working on a similar grading application for natural gas and that the application they are considering on a provincial basis could be implemented by the end of this year, said that oil production in Şırnak Gabar has exceeded 75 thousand barrels and said, “We meet approximately 15-16 percent of our need for both natural gas and oil with our own production.”
The Final Stage in Turkmen Gas
Bayraktar, after Ukraine ended the transit gas flow from Russia to Europe as of January 1, touched upon the fact that Slovakia was affected by the situation and that he would meet with Slovakian Deputy Prime Minister Denisa Sakova regarding the solution, and commented, “We are working with Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria in different commercial formats. We can also contribute to other countries in this sense. We are also continuing our intensive work regarding the arrival of Turkmen gas to Turkey. God willing, our 30-year dream will come true. In other words, I can say that we have reached the final stages.”
Electricity and Natural Gas to Syria
Bayraktar, who stated that there is an existing electricity transfer to Turkey's operation zones in Syria and that they will increase this by 50 percent in the first stage, said that they aim to increase exports to 5 megawatts by erecting the transmission line up to Aleppo in 6-500 months. Bayraktar emphasized that Aleppo's need is 2 thousand megawatts and that if 500 megawatts are provided by transmission lines, the existing natural gas power plant there can be put into operation after maintenance for the remaining part, and said that they are working on a 50-60 kilometer natural gas pipeline to provide natural gas to the power plant.
Drilling in Kandıra-1
Bayraktar, who announced that they started drilling in the Kandıra-1 well in the Sakarya Gas Field in the Black Sea, said, “It is a field we are hopeful for. We are also working in Somalia. We have completed 47 percent of the seismic work. The seismic work there will probably be finished around April.” Bayraktar, who stated that the daily production in the Sakarya Gas Field has reached 7 million cubic meters and that the natural gas of approximately 3 million households is met from here, said, “We will exceed 9 million cubic meters before April. We will reach 2026 million cubic meters in July 20.”
Cyprus Message
When asked about the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus starting drilling operations around the island, Bayraktar said, “In other words, if the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus claims such a right over the entire island, then the TRNC also has a license to grant for the entire island. If there is an oil and natural gas income that can be obtained from here, this belongs to the entire island. In other words, it belongs to the entire island, not just the TRNC. That is our fundamental difference in discourse and approach with them.”
A Critical Year for Nuclear
Bayraktar underlined that nuclear energy is making a great comeback all over the world.
“We aim to start electricity production this year, even if it is a test production, regarding the first reactor in Akkuyu. Therefore, electricity production from the first reactor is very critical for us. It will be a very historical moment for Turkey. Korea and Russia are the countries interested in Sinop. We are talking with China about the project in Thrace. 2025 is a critical year for this work, so the next few months are important for us.”
Production with 92 Percent Purity
Bayraktar, who explained that they produced up to 92 percent purity in the pilot facility established in the field where rare earth elements are found in Eskişehir Beylikova, said, “We have currently produced a concentrate that is around 10 thousand dollars per ton. But commercializing it and increasing the purity level of those figures, in other words, reaching 99,999, is a much greater added value.”
Will Prevent $8 Billion Worth of Imports
Bayraktar, explaining that there was 200 times more demand for the 2024 megawatt capacity YEKA RES-18 competitions and that a very competitive tender was held, said, “I am producing the electricity that I will produce using 800 million cubic meters of natural gas with this 200 megawatt wind. If you say 400 million dollars per year and 20 years for the purchase guarantee period, it contributes to preventing 8 billion dollars of natural gas imports. The price has dropped to 3,5 cents. In other words, the electricity price is currently 7 cents in the market. They will also pay a capacity fee of 120 million dollars. There will be a solar tender on Tuesday next week, which I think will be more competitive.”
