Geothermal power plants and wind power plants projects are cancelled.

The planned geothermal power plant ( GPP ) and wind power plant ( WPP ) projects, planned to be built on forest and agricultural lands in the Seferihisar and Menderes districts of İzmir, have been canceled . The environmental impact assessment ( EIA ) report prepared by Karen Kahramanmaraş Electricity Generation Inc., a subsidiary of Kipaş Holding Energy Group, was withdrawn by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change.

The project was previously canceled by the Izmir 3rd Administrative Court, and the decision was also upheld by the 6th Chamber of the Council of State. The company's relaunched EIA process was then halted by the Ministry. The reason for the decision was the Council of State's cancellation decisions and the negative opinions of relevant institutions.

OBJECTIONS WERE EFFECTIVE

The company had attempted to build a geothermal power plant in the same area in 2021. However, local residents and the Izmir Water and Sewerage Administration (IZSU) objected to the project. The objections emphasized that the geothermal power plant would pollute the Ürkmez and Tahtalı dam basins, which provide Izmir's drinking water. The local court's annulment decision was also upheld by the 6th Chamber of the Council of State.

The project planned to explore geothermal resources at 12 locations and install two 8.4 MWe wind turbines. The EIA document acknowledged that the project area was forested and agricultural land. Local residents stated that the geothermal power plant and wind turbine projects would destroy nature and harm olive groves and agriculture.

IN THE PROTECTED AREA

In its initial project report, the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality stated that the licensed area falls within the protected area of ​​the Ürkmez and Tahtalı dam basins. It also emphasized that the area borders stream protection zones, an archaeological site, and an irrigation area.

The new project file claimed that the activity areas were shown outside the dams' short- and long-range protection zones. However, local residents and institutions found this justification insufficient.