HYDROELECTRICITY IN TURKEY 

Hydroelectricity is a critical source of energy in Turkey and substantial amounts can be generated due to its mountainous landscape and position between three seas. The main river basins are the Euphrates (Turkish: Fırat) and Tigris (Turkish: Dicle). Turkey has built many dams, and hydroelectric power plants can now generate about 23GW. The many projects currently in progress, such as the Southeastern Anatolia Project, total another 15GW. The energy policy of Turkey supports hydropower. 

Some dams in Turkey are controversial. However it is claimed that hydropower can be expanded without damaging the environment 

HISTORY 

The first hydroelectric plant in Turkey was constructed at Tarus in 1902. This plant only produced 60KW, but nonetheless was a great technical achievement for the country. 

In later years there were many more projects including: Seyhan, Sariyer, Hirfanli, Kesikkopru, Demirkopru, and Kemer. These projects were either dams or hydroelectric power plants and by 1940 there were a total of 28 hydroelectric power plants in Turkey. 

After the State Hydraulic Works (DSI) was established in 1954 projects were better funded and the power produced per year was greatly increased. 

PROJECTS 

The most recent project in Turkey is the GAP project. Also known as the Southeastern Anatolia Project, the GAP project was planned by the DSI and it includes the construction of 22 dams and 19 hydroelectric power plants. Most of the project is complete, but there are still dams and hydroelectricity power plants under construction. Once completed, theoretically, 27 billion kWh/year will be generated. 

Currently there are 172 dams/hydroelectric power plants in operation, 148 under construction, and 1,418 projects available 

 

ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS 

There are positive and negative environmental effects caused by the dams and hydroelectric power plants. A positive environmental effect of hydroelectric power plants in Turkey is the decrease of carbon emission because the production of energy does not emit any byproduct. Compared to thermal power generating units, it is much more environmentally friendly. 

On the other hand, the hydroelectric power plants have had a negative impact on species. Many fish are killed in hydroelectric power plants because there are no fish passages. This can be fixed by implementing fish passages into new projects. Also, the high flow of water causes soil erosion, which kills plant species. This is a hard environmental issue to fix. 

Another main issue is salinity. Salinity causes the reduction of water quality, soil erosion, and effect on plant growth. Salinity caused by dams has decreased the agricultural activity near dams and hydroelectric power plants. There has also been a great issue with increased bedrock exposure. Erosion is an issue for which a solution is being sought. 

These projects have also caused an issue of land acquisition and resettlement of people. The Ataturk and Karakaya project of the GAP caused the displacement of 100,000 people. Hundreds of villages have been affected by projects in Turkey to build dams and hydroelectric power plants. Some families got land to construct new houses. On the other hand, some families were admitted back to their properties after the construction of the dams or power plants if feasible.  

HYDROELECTRIC POTENTIAL 

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA) the hydroelectric potential of Turkey is 58 TWh/year, about 1% of the hydroelectric energy produced in the world.

HYDROELECTRICITY SOLUTIONS

Alstom hydro turbines and generators installed worldwide represent more than 25% of the total hydro power capacity today. We have the broadest range of hydro solutions and services: from water to wire, from individual equipment to complete turnkey solutions, for new plants and the installed base.

Hydropower is a key source for renewable electricity generation and it has an important potential to be marketed as green energy. There has been a substantial increase in the number of hydroelectric power plants in recent years in Turkey. While offering ecological advantages from a global perspective, such as climate change mitigation, emergency management, and reduction of flooding risk, the operation and construction of hydroelectric power plants may cause some environmental impacts on the local and regional level.

These include harm to fish populations, a loss of aquatic habitat, a significant change in natural flow regimes, and deterioration of the landscape. The article aims to suggest various ways to resolve these issues, and to research the problems of 24 hydroelectric power plants operated and constructed on dams, rivers, and canals by the State Hydraulic Works (DSI) or private sector in the Buyuk Menderes Basin and in the West Mediterranean Basins in Turkey.