Project Opening Event And Panel Discussion On Clean Energy Technologies In Turkey Was Held
The Best For Energy Project opening event, implemented by the İzmir Development Agency in cooperation with the Energy Industrialists and Businessmen Association (ENSIA) was held online on December 9, 2020. The Best For Energy project, supported by the European Union (EU) under the Competitive Sectors Program of the Ministry of Industry and Technology, aims to transform İzmir into a production center in the field of clean energy and clean technologies. The event also included a panel entitled Clean Energy Technologies in Turkey and a quiz for young people.
The Secretary General of İzmir Development Agency Dr. Mehmet Yavuz, who was a keynote speaker of the event which was attended by public institution representatives as well as by young students, stated that İzmir has a comparative advantage in clean energy and clean technologies and that the Best For Energy Project is important to use this advantage. Dr. Yavuz added that the project will set out a general framework for İZKA's financial support in the future.
The Energy Industrialists and Businessmen's Association (ENSIA), Chairman of the Board of Directors Hüseyin Vatansever in his opening speech underlined that not only the energy source, but also the equipment used to produce energy should be domestic, noting also that they are focused on this issue as ENSIA. Mr. Vatansever stressed that high-tech energy equipment used when producing energy from clean sources can be manufactured in our country and that there is a potential for the equipment market of 25 billion dollars in the coming years in this area.
In his opening speech, the Aegean Region Chamber of Industry (EBSO), Chairman of the Board of Directors Ender Yorgancılar, expressed that Turkey ranked among the top 5 in Europe in the production of wind turbine equipment thanks to facilities in the İzmir region. He added that Minister of Industry and Technology, Mr.Mustafa Varank's proposal to establish a Special Industrial Zone connected to the Çandarlı Port for Wind Energy Sector is a project that will crown the success of Turkey and İzmir. Yorgancılar added that as EBSO, they will work to contribute to the implementation of this project.
Ahmet Alperen Sağkaya, Head of the EU Financial Programs Department, General Directorate of EU and Foreign Relations of the Ministry of Industry and Technology; gave a brief information about the projects supported so far under the Competitive Sectors Program, stating that they support R&D, innovation-oriented projects within the scope of IPA II. Mr. Sağkaya emphasized the value of ''smart development" solutions and the importance of the BEST For Energy Project for this purpose. Speaking about the value of projects that will minimize the effects of global warming and the priorities of domestic production, added value, and employment, Sağkaya also stated that the project is a complementary and important step within the scope of 2023 goals.
Angel Gutierrez Hidalgo, Head of Economic and Social Development, the Delegation of the EU to Turkey, stressed that the Best For Energy project is a very important project within the scope of energy security for Turkey that would create new business opportunities. Lastly, Mr. Hidalgo mentioned the Green Deal process of the European Union and pointed out that the project will contribute to this development.
Panel on Clean Energy Technologies Production In Turkey
Oğuz Can, Advisor to Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Head of Energy Efficiency and Environment Department was the moderator of the Panel on Clean Energy Technologies Production in Turkey, during the Opening Event of the BEST For Energy project. During the event, domestic technology production in wind, solar, biomass and geothermal energy sectors was discussed. Güray Erol, Chairman of the Board of the Turkish Wind Energy Association (TÜREB); Kutay Kaleli, Chairman of the Board of the International Solar Energy Society (Günder); Altan Denizsel, Chairman of the Board of the Biogas Investment Development Association (BIOGAZDER) and Ufuk Şentürk, Chairman of the Board of the Geothermal Power Plant Investors Association (JESDER), attended the panel as speakers. At the panel, sector representatives discussed developments in the sector, possible solutions, and future opportunities. As a result of the panel, it was agreed that “using our domestic and national resources in the most rational way and delivering zero carbon emission electrical energy to the largest number of consumers at the most competitive price” should be the main goal of the sector.
Within the framework of the online event, a BEST For Energy Project Promotion Session was held, with the participation of the İZKA Project Coordinator Hülya Ulusoy Sungur and ENSIA Board Member Serkan Aksüyek, which was moderated by the Poject Key Expert Ekin Taşkın.
At the end of the event, during the project promotion session, 3 students who were successful in the quiz were presented with model wind turbines.
About the Best For Energy Project
The BEST For Energy (Boosting Effective and Sustainable Transformation for Energy) is a project implemented in cooperation by the İzmir Development Agency (İZKA) and the Energy Industrialists and Businessmen's Association (ENSIA) under the Competitive Sectors Program of the Ministry of Industry and Technology and co-financed by Turkey and the European Union.
The project aims to increase the production of clean energy equipment and environmental technologies with sectoral transformation in and around İzmir based on a clustering approach and to increase green works and added value in the region and to transform İzmir into a clean energy technology production center.
For detailed information: www.bestforenergy.org
- With the Best For Energy Project, Clean Energy clustering works are gaining momentum and the İzmir region is becoming production and service centers.
- Cluster and competition capacity development opportunities for companies, energy workshops for children, university-industry cooperation projects for universities.
- Equipment market potential of $ 25 billion.
- Contribution from Turkey to the Green Deal of the European Union.
Photos from the event:
