USTDA Supports Development of Turkey's Growing Energy Sector
September 16, 2011
(USTDA)
Signs Three Agreements to Advance Private Sector Power Development
TURKEY – Today, USTDA announced three grants that will support the Turkish
private sector’s efforts to develop clean sources of energy and promote energy
efficiency. The grants, totaling nearly $1 million, are designed to support over
$100 million in new business opportunities in Turkey and demonstrate the U.S.
Government's broad commitment to raising the level of economic partnership while
expanding trade and investment ties. These grants come in advance of a U.S.
Trade Mission to Turkey this December led by Department of Commerce Under
Secretary for International Trade Francisco Sánchez, which will consist of 15-20
U.S. companies exploring renewable energy and energy efficiency opportunities.
“Turkey's clean energy sector has enormous potential and plays an important role
in Turkey's continued economic development and growth," stated USTDA Regional
Director Carl B. Kress. "We are proud to be supporting its growth, and
encouraging U.S. private sector involvement."
A $201,606 grant to one of Turkey's first privatized distribution companies,
Bas,kent Electricity Distribution (EnerjiSA, Sabanc?-Verbund JV) Company, will
fund a feasibility study to explore and develop a smart grid roadmap. The study
will propose smart grid solutions, as well as set an example for future smart
grid projects to be implemented in Turkey. A $393,927 grant to Zorlu Enerji will
fund a feasibility study to evaluate the construction of a geothermal power
plant at the Alas,ehir geothermal resource site in the Aegean-West Anatolian
region of Turkey. The study will be carried out by Veizades & Associates,
Inc., based in California. Finally, a $403,640 grant to the Izmir Ataturk
Organized Industrial Zone (I.AOSB) is part of a U.S. Department of Energy-led
effort to support energy efficiency in Turkey and will provide technical
assistance and energy efficiency recommendations for ten companies in the
Industrial Zone, including an assessment of expansion plans for the Zone's power
plant.
These investments in clean energy build upon USTDA's previous successful
partnership with a Turkish private sector geothermal company. Based on the
results of a USTDA-funded investment analysis, the largest privately owned
geothermal facility in Turkey became operational in May 2009. The 47.5 megawatt
plant was built in the Aydin-Germencik geothermal field by the Gurmat Energy
Investment and Trade Company. Since coming online, Germencik is providing Turkey
with an important renewable energy source to further the country's economic
growth. Importantly, up to 250 local jobs were associated with the construction
and erection works and 37 jobs were generated to operate the plant while
utilizing over $23 million in exports of U.S.-manufactured goods and services.
The signings took place at the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, in the
presence of U.S. Ambassador Francis J. Ricciardone, U.S. Commerce Under
Secretary for International Trade Francisco Sánchez, and Turkish Ministry of
Energy and Natural Resources Undersecretary Metin Kilci. USTDA Regional Director
Carl B. Kress signed each agreement on behalf of USTDA. Mr. Yetik Mert, CEO of
EnerjiSA, signed on behalf of Bas,kent Electricity Distribution Company; Mr.
Murat Sungur Bursa, CEO of Zorlu Energy Group, signed on behalf of Zorlu Enerji;
and Mr. Hilmi Ug(urtas,, Chairman of the Board of Directors of I.AOSB, signed on
behalf of the I.AOSB.
The opportunity to carry out the Bas,kent Electricity Distribution Company
feasibility study and Izmir Ataturk Organized Industrial Zone technical
assistance will be competed on the Federal Business Opportunities website.
Interested U.S. companies should visit www.ustda.gov/businessopps/index.asp.
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