Ministry's Solar Power Plant plunder rejected

The Council of State has suspended the execution of a decision regarding the construction of solar power plants (SPPs) in natural protected areas. The Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change appealed the decision. However, the Council of State Administrative Litigation Chambers Assembly rejected the appeal and ruled that the decision should stand.

The Turkish Foresters Association challenged the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change's decision, published in the Official Gazette on March 26, 2024, allowing the construction of solar power plants (SPPs) in natural protected areas. The association appealed to the Council of State, citing the potential environmental damage and the risk of disrupting the ecological balance. Upon the association's application, the Council of State's Fourth Chamber ordered a stay of execution of the regulation. However, the Ministry appealed the decision and requested the stay of execution be lifted.

The Assembly of the Council of State Administrative Litigation Departments rejected the Ministry's objection and ruled that the stay of execution decision was valid. The decision stated, "It is understood that the regulation that gave rise to the uncertainty regarding the solar power plants (SPPs) did not clearly state the upper limits for projects that could be carried out in qualified natural conservation areas." The Ministry rejected the objection and concluded that the conditions stipulated in Article 27 of the Administrative Procedure Law No. 2577 were met. Therefore, the stay of execution decision is valid."

Natural protected areas are considered critical for preserving ecological balance. The construction of solar power plants (PPS) in such sensitive areas has been criticized by conservationists and many experts, who argue that they could harm nature and threaten biodiversity.