Turkish State Railways (TCDD) will build a 170 MW Solar Power Plant (SPP) and 90 MW Wind Power Plant (WPP), which combined will meet 75% of its electricity consumption from renewable resources.
New projects are being launched regularly as institutions and organizations try to achieve their goal to eliminate carbon emissions within the scope of the fight against climate change. Decarbonization, which has become a prestige element for brands worldwide, beyond legal obligations, has also affected public companies in Turkey. The is one of the first to attempt to meet its energy needs from renewables instead of fossil fuels.
ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
The TCDD has finalized an energy management system in collaboration with the technology company HAVELSAN, which will lead to a 20% saving in energy and meets the goals of European Union member states, according to Omer Fatih Sayan, Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure. “The system finalized within the scope of the energy efficiency works will allow for invoicing energy costs consumed by each vehicle and to analyze and evaluate them,” said Sayan.
The TCDD aims to obtain 75% of its electricity consumption from renewables by 2025 and emissions for railways will be reduced at least by 75% by 2035, compared to 1995. “The TCDD plans to build a 170 MW SPP and 90 MW WPP in order to generate its own electricity in line with this objective,” Sayan underlined.
THE GREEN PORT PROJECT KICKED OFF
More environmentally-conscious port facilities will be established with the Green Port Project carried out by the DirectorateGeneral for Maritime Affairs, according to Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure. “We are cooperating with the Turkish Standards Institution (TSE) with this program conducted on a voluntary basis. Twenty ports have already been certified,” Sayan added.
EUR 200M FINANCING FOR GREEN MARITIME
The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure aims to decrease emissions stemming from the maritime sector. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has participated in the project and supports the Green Maritime initiative. Accordingly, EUR 200m financing has been obtained for the maritime industry, including a EUR 25m grant and a EUR 150m cost-effective loan.
USD 500m loan to Akkuyu Nukleer AS
The Otkritie Bank will provide USD 500m with 7-year maturity for Akkuyu Nukleer AS on the condition that it will fulfil its sustainable development obligations. “Hopefully, similar loans will expand to other projects,” said Ilya Rebrov, Deputy Director General for Economy and Finance of Rosatom.
“The agreement with Akkuyu Nukleer AS is particularly important for the bank as it provides a mechanism encouraging full compliance with ecological obligations of the customer,” said Ekaterina Cirkova, Vice President and Director of the Client Relations Department, Corporate and Investment Division of Otkritie Bank. Debtor’s fulfilment of environmental obligations means lower loan interest, according to the agreement.
Green electricity transaction with Blockchain from Aksa
Aksa Electricity, which has certified the electricity generated from renewables supplied to its customers, carried out a blockchain-based Green Energy Certificate transaction with Ronesans Enerji. Aksa Electricity participated as the buyer party while Ronesans Enerji took part as the seller party in the International Renewable Energy Certificate (I-REC) transaction. The I-REC subject to transaction represents the electricity generated in Ronesans Enerji’s hydroelectric power plant, according to the online energy platform Enerji Gunlugu.
Aksa Electricity offers solutions to companies for a sustainable future with green energy supplies, according to Erdem Sezer, Head of Analysis and Commercial Strategies of Aksa Electricity. “We aim to contribute to environmental sustainability by increasing the green energy supply particularly in the businesses and manufacturing group,” said Sezer. The company offers innovative products that keep pace with technology. “Within this frame, we’ve preferred to carry out the green energy certificate trade by using the new venture Foton Technoloji’s blockchain infrastructure,” said Sezer. Usage of blockchain based on the green energy trade system has an impact on smart energy management, according to Sezer.