Turkey--The First Private Geothermal Power Plant

Abstract

The Salavatli geothermal field in the Aydin region is one of the moderate enthalpy fields from which electricity is produced in Turkey. In 1998 a Turkish private investment group received the concession to develop this field and generate electricity. By 2003 all plans and permits were in place and a supply contract was signed with Ormat for one ORMAT® ENERGY CONVERTER (OEC) with a net capacity of 6.5 MW at design point. The OEC unit designed for the Dora I power plant is an integrated two-level unit, utilizing Ormat’s unique technology, combining the steam and brine output of two wells. The power stations started operation in April 2006 and have been working constantly ever since. MENDERES Geothermal Elektrik Uretim A.S. (MEGE), formed by the owners, have developed, drilled, constructed and maintained Dora I since its inauguration. Most of the work on site was very successfully performed by local forces, with partial supervision and advice by a team from Ormat, under full management of MEGE, thus achieving reasonable costs without compromising quality.