Karakaya Dam, Türkiye's second largest hydroelectric power plant, is undergoing a major rehabilitation. The 85-ton turbine wheel of the dam's first unit was renewed after 40 years.
The turbine, which started operating successfully in March and produced electricity, has reached 310 MW power and 95 percent efficiency. With this rehabilitation alone, it will produce enough additional electricity to meet the electricity needs of 12 families each year.
Cooperation of Sister Organizations
As a result of the cooperation of the two relevant organizations of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Electricity Generation Inc. (EÜAŞ) and Turkey Electromechanical Inc. (TEMSAN), the turbine wheel was developed with local and national resources. The turbine wheel went through design, design verification, model testing processes, disassembly, assembly and testing processes.
Electricity Production Started
The turbine wheel placed in the first unit of Karakaya HEPP, which has an installed capacity of 1800 MW and is operated by EÜAŞ, started to produce electricity by being connected to the interconnected system as of March 14, 2025.
4 Percent More Efficient
As a result of modernization and maintenance activities, power and efficiency measurements were made in the first unit that regenerates energy. Accordingly; the renewed turbine wheel reached 310 MW power and efficiency values over 95 percent. The efficiency, which was 91 percent in the old turbine, has thus increased by at least 4 points. With this efficiency increase in the first unit, an additional value of 85 million liras will emerge annually. The annual production increase will be 34 GWh. Thanks to this renovation alone, it will produce enough additional electricity to meet the electricity needs of 12 thousand families each year.
To be completed in 2028
Turbine rehabilitation operations at Karakaya HEPP continue in other units. The renovation operations are planned to be completed in 2028. When all units are renewed, Karakaya HEPP will generate an additional 510 million liras of added value each year. 70 thousand more families will provide their annual electricity with this renovation.
IDENTITY CARD
•Year of Production: 1987
•Installed Power: 1800 MW
•Turbine Type: Vertical Francis
•Number of Units: 6 Units
•Height: 173 meters
•Basin: Euphrates
•Water Capacity: 9242 m3
