Turkey Can Close the Current Account Deficit with 'Solar Power'
Solar power is an important resource for a climate-friendly sustainable economy. This is because it is possible to meet the world's annual energy needs in just 1.5 hours with the sunlight that reaches the Earth's surface. Maximizing the utilization of this potential will not only meet countries' energy demands but also contribute to reducing current account deficits and global warming.
According to the report by the International Energy Agency (IEA) on Renewables, it is predicted that renewable energy sources will meet over 90% of the global electricity demand in the next five years. This indicates that solar power is expected to become the most dominant energy source of the future.
On June 22, in the context of World Renewable Energy Day, İlgin Eray, the Energy Director of Üçay Group, highlighted the advantages of solar energy investments for a climate-friendly sustainable economy, the increasing momentum of solar energy investments worldwide, and the solar energy potential in Turkey.
The global energy crisis has accelerated investments in renewable energy. It is expected that the total capacity worldwide will increase by 100% in the next five years.
During the announcement on World Renewable Energy Day, İlgin Eray, the Energy Director of Üçay Group, drew attention to the advantages of solar energy investments for a climate-friendly sustainable economy and the growing momentum of solar energy investments worldwide, stating: "Renewable energy is vital for limiting global warming to 1.5°C and combating the energy crisis. Solar energy, which is the most abundant, fastest, cheapest, and most environmentally friendly renewable energy source, plays a significant role in this fight. The dependency of countries on fossil fuels is also decreasing due to the increasing solar energy investments worldwide."
Equivalent to China's current total energy capacity
According to the report by the International Energy Agency (IEA) on Renewables, the global renewable energy capacity is expected to increase by 2,400 GW between 2022 and 2027. This capacity is said to be equivalent to China's current total energy capacity. Furthermore, the report predicts that renewable energy sources will meet over 90% of the global electricity demand in the next five years and surpass coal as the largest global electricity source by early 2025. Hence, solar power is expected to become the most powerful energy source of the future.
"The solar energy installed capacity in Turkey has reached 10,007 MWe"
Ilgin Eray emphasized that Turkey holds a strong position in solar energy production from a geopolitical perspective. Harnessing the existing potential will elevate Turkey to a regional power in terms of energy," said Ilgin Eray, continuing: "The solar energy installed capacity in Turkey has reached 10,007 MWe. This achievement accounts for one-fifth of the solar energy installed capacity target for 2035 set in the National Energy Plan. However, by evaluating the current potential, it is possible to progress at a faster pace. Turkey has a high solar energy potential, with around 110 days of sunlight annually. With the necessary investments, Turkey can generate an average of 1,100 kWh of solar energy per square meter per year. As a result, our country can utilize the solar energy potential to surpass the main cause of the current account deficit, which is energy imports."
Ilgin Eray also provided important information about the services offered by Üçay Engineering to solar energy investors in his speech: "As Üçay Engineering, we offer turnkey solutions to our customers in terms of solar energy installation, including rooftop solar energy systems, ground-mounted solar energy systems, and agricultural solar energy systems. With our 65 branches located in 25 provinces throughout Turkey, we provide services such as project design, system amortization calculations, turnkey installation, and management of the Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EPDK) process."
Equivalent to the electricity needs of 30,000 households
"With the solar energy investments we have realized in 2022, we have reached an installed capacity of nearly 20 MWe, and this year, our aim is to be the solution partner in projects with a capacity of 50 MWe, equivalent to the electricity needs of approximately 30,000 households," concluded İlgin Eray.