Geothermal Energy Use, Country Update for Turkey

Abstract

Since the 1960’s, 230 geothermal fields have been discovered in Turkey. Geothermal direct-use applications have reached 3262,3 MWt geothermal heating including district heating (1033 MWt), 3,93 million m2 greenhouse heating (760 MWt), thermal facilities, hotels etc heating 420 MWt, balneological use (1,005 MWt), agricultural drying (1,5 MWt) and heat pump applications (42,8 MWt). Geothermal electricity production is 650 MWe (Aydin-Germencik, Aydin-Salavatli, Denizli-Kizildere, Aydin-Hidirbeyli, Canakkale-Tuzla, Ayd?n-Pamukören, Aydin- Gumuskoy and others) as of April 2016. Liquid carbon dioxide and dry ice production factories are integrated to the Kizildere and Salavatli geothermal power plants. With the existing geothermal wells and spring discharge water, the proven geothermal heat
capacity calculated by MTA is totally 8000 MWt (leaving temperature is assumed to be 35°C). Most of the development has been achieved in electricity production and balneological utilizations in the last 4 years in Turkey. Geothermal electricity production increased by 380% and balneological use by 116% between 2013 - 2016. A total of 750 MWe power production and 4,000 MWt space heating is targeted for the year 2018 (TR Ministry of Development, 10th Development Plan 2014-2018).
The issued geothermal law and incentives contributed to the increase in geothermal electricity production investments within Turkish private sector. Beside of the hydrothermal system utilization, Turkey shall give emphasize on EGS systems for future projections.