Türkiye targets 5 GW of electrolyzer capacity

Energy Diary - Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar spoke at the closing session of the International Zero Waste Forum organized in Istanbul by the Zero Waste Foundation, established under the patronage of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's wife, Emine Erdoğan.

Bayraktar emphasized that 100,000 tons of municipal waste is generated daily in Türkiye, noting that approximately 10 percent of this waste is converted into energy. He noted that the use of waste-derived fuels is rapidly increasing, particularly in the cement sector, resulting in annual energy savings equivalent to 500,000 tons of coal.

Alparslan Bayraktar noted that Türkiye is working intensively to meet its rapidly increasing energy demand in line with its '2053 net zero emissions' vision, saying:

Energy efficiency, renewable energy, the use of domestic resources, and new technologies like nuclear and hydrogen are among our key priorities. We aim to maximize our contribution to our country's development by utilizing our energy and mineral resources in an efficient, environmentally responsible, sustainable, and locally sourced manner. Our goal is to have a Turkey that prioritizes people and the environment, has transformed energy and mining, is a net exporter, and is self-sufficient in resources and technology.

HYDROGEN ACTION PLAN

Bayraktar stated that they have developed smart, flexible, responsive, and inclusive policy sets to advance the energy transition on a planned and sustainable basis, adding, "We are also working intensively on the Hydrogen Action Plan." Bayraktar emphasized that these roadmaps, plans, and projects aim to accelerate Türkiye's energy transformation to achieve the 2053 net-zero emissions target. Minister Bayraktar noted that they aim to increase electrolyzer capacity for hydrogen production to 5,000 megawatts by 2035.

GRANT FOR 726 PROJECTS

Bayraktar stated that the municipality encourages the use of vegetable oil waste, non-food-grade agricultural waste, and animal waste as resources through the Renewable Energy Support Mechanism (YEKDEM), saying, "To date, we have provided grant incentives to 726 efficiency-enhancing projects for our industrialists. We have also implemented 73 projects aimed at recovering waste heat."

6.9 MILLION TONS OF WASTE RETURNED

Minister Bayraktar stated that they see the Zero Waste Movement, launched in 2017 under the auspices of Emine Erdoğan, Honorary President of the Zero Waste Foundation, not only as an environmental project but also as a new vision of civilization. Bayraktar explained that over the last six years, together with all the Ministry's institutions, they have disposed of over 26 million tons of waste, adding, "We have recycled 6.9 million tons of waste. During this period, we have utilized more than 1 million tons of waste as alternative raw materials."

Meanwhile, Tübingen, Germany's Mayor, Boris Palmer, was honored with an award for his Zero Waste City Project. He was presented with the award by Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar.