Yusuf Yazar, General Manager of the Renewable Energy General Directorate, emphasised in his opening speech that the increasing implementation of renewable energy sources, especially of solar energy, is an opportunity for Turkey to become independent from energy exports. He argued that not only Turkey, as a location of locally operated energy generating facilities, but also neighbouring countries could benefit from new jobs and the knowledge transfer, which is related to this, as well as other steps in the value chain - a sustainable profit for a whole region.
In Turkey, the rate for electricity demand increases by about 6 per cent every year, a fact that clearly shows that there is a need for investment in this in order to become independent from imports and to change the way energy is supplied in a sustainable way. This would also influence two further challenges Turkey faces in a positive way: on the one hand, CO2 emissions in Turkey are strikingly high and, on the other hand, there are weaknesses in the stability of the Turkish grid.
Dr. Mustafa Gözen, Head of the Market Monitoring and Legislation Group at the Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EPDK), emphasised in his presentation that 20,000 MW of newly installed PV capacity is a declared best-case target by 2023. At present, Turkey's politically declared expansion target is approximately 5 GW. In addition to this, a support system has to be established in order to create market incentives as well as to abolish existing regulatory barriers: "Lift the current barriers, do not create new ones!" He continued that Turkey, on its way to renewable energy, could learn from other countries, in which the energy transition had been successful. A stronger political commitment is expected from the new government, which will be elected in June 2015. Turkey offers a great potential for renewable energies, interesting opportunities for international companies to discover new business areas, and all in all the opportunity to act as a kind of incubator for a whole region and lead the way - "Turkey has to make the right choice".
Information on the Intersolar Summit
The Solar Promotion International GmbH and the Freiburg Management and Marketing International GmbH are the organisers of the event in cooperation with the co-organizer EuPD Research as well as the local partner GÜNDER, the Turkey Section of the International Solar Energy Society.
Premium sponsors of the Intersolar Summit Turkey are First Solar Power Solutions Turkey, InteGreen Yenİlenebİlİr Enerjİ Sİstemlerİ A.Ş and Smart Energy Group Turkey. Gold sponsor of the Intersolar Summit Turkey is CSUN Turkey. Further supporters of the Intersolar Summit Turkey are the German-Turkish Chamber of Commerce (AHK Türkei), the German Solar Association (BSW), the Tigris Development Agency (DIKA), the Turkish Association of Energy Economics (EED), the Becquerel Institute, the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E), GAP Bölge Kalkınma İdaresi (GAP BKI), the Turkish Photovoltaic Industry Association (GENSED), Green City Freiburg, the International Battery and Energy Storage Alliance (IBESA), the network initiative Joint Forces for Solar, the Unlicensed Electricity Generation Association (Li-DER), the Renewable Energy and Environmental Technologies Cluster (ostim), the Sustainable Energy Action Association (SEHAD), the Turkish Solar Energy Platform (Solarbaba), the International Energy Agency Photovoltaic Power System Programme (IEA PVPS) and the Sustainable Production and Consumption Association (SPCA).
More information about the Intersolar Summits from Solar Promotion International, FMMI - Freiburg Management and Marketing International as well as EuPD Research can be found on the website www.intersolar-summit.com.
About Intersolar
With events spanning four continents, Intersolar is the world's leading exhibition series for the solar industry and its partners. It unites people and companies from around the world with the aim of increasing the share of solar power in our energy supply.
Intersolar is inspired by the guiding principle: Connecting Solar Business.
The exhibition and conference series focuses on the areas of photovoltaics, PV production technologies, energy storage and solar thermal technologies. Since being founded, Intersolar has become the most important industry platform for manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, service providers and partners of the solar industry.
With more than 20 years of experience, Intersolar has the unique ability to bring together members of the solar industry from across the world's most influential markets. Intersolar exhibitions and conferences are held in Munich, San Francisco, Mumbai, Beijing and São Paulo. Starting in 2014, these global events will be complemented by the Intersolar Summits, which will take place in emerging and growing markets worldwide.
For more information on Intersolar, please visit: www.intersolarglobal.com
Organizers: Intersolar Europe is organized by Solar Promotion GmbH, Pforzheim and Freiburg Wirtschaft Touristik und Messe GmbH & Co. KG (FWTM). The exhibitions in North America, India, China and South America are organized by the international subsidiaries Solar Promotion International GmbH, Pforzheim and Freiburg Management and Marketing International GmbH (FMMI).
About GÜNDER
GÜNDER (International Solar Energy Society - Turkey Section) which was founded in 1991, maintains studies in development of industry, science and technology in the field of solar energy by establishing the regulatory framework and raising awareness. GÜNDER which is an unique non-governmental organization of Turkey that consists of administrators and civil servants of public bodies, academic members and industry representatives, is the voice of solar energy by representing the entire value chain. GÜNDER is not only the member of ISES, EPIA and ESTIF, but also representing Turkish Republic in the programs of IEA-PVPS and IEA-SHC.