18/05/2018
The SHURA Energy Transformation Center was inaugurated on May 9, 2018 at a launch event attended by representatives from industry, public sector, civil society and universities to contribute to the debate on energy transformation in Turkey. SHURA also shared the striking results of its inaugural study on the Turkish electricity sector. According to this first nationwide study, Turkey can increase its installed wind and solar energy capacity to 40 gigawatts by 2026 without undertaking any additional transmission costs.
The SHURA Energy Transformation Center, founded with the partnership of the European Climate Foundation (ECF), Germany's most influential energy think-tank Agora Energiewende, and Sabancı University Istanbul Policy Center (IPC), started its activities to facilitate Turkey's transformation to a low-carbon energy system. SHURA is focused on producing research and analyses that assess the economic, technological and political aspects of Turkey's energy sector in order to create a common platform with energy efficiency and renewable sources at its center.
Speaking at the event, SHURA Energy Transformation Center Steering Committee Chair Selahattin Hakman pointed out the objectives, mission and approach of SHURA, saying “SHURA believes in the importance of a process that will consider the perspectives of all stakeholders in the energy sector to ensure a quick transformation which will also reinforce the economy and benefit all parties involved” dedi.
40 GW of installed wind and solar energy capacity possible by 2026
SHURA shared the results of its inaugural study on the Turkish electricity generation capacity and transmission infrastructure. Focusing on the possible means of integrating renewable resources to the electricity transmission network, the study fills a significant knowledge gap.
Emphasizing that this was the first nationwide study in Turkey, Değer Saygın continued: “The results of the study on the increasing share of renewable sources in the electricity transmission network are exciting. Turkey has the potential to double the forecasted increase in solar and wind power without introducing any additional costs to the transmission network investment planned by TEİAŞ until 2026. This will ensure that the electricity produced from these sources accounts for more than 20% of total consumption. In other words, increasing Turkey's installed capacity for wind and solar power to 40 GW by 2026 will have little impact on the electricity network. This is groundbreaking for system operators, energy planners and investors. This report on the development of renewable energy may pave the way for a large-scale transformation of the Turkish energy system.”
SHURA Brings the Energy Sector Together
Saying that SHURA aimed to contribute to building a low-carbon future through knowledge and current data, Selahattin Hakman continued: “SHURA also finds it important that different perspectives are integrated into energy transformation. This is why SHURA has an advisory board that consists of leaders from investment, technology, finance, academia, consultancy, think-tanks, and nongovernmental organizations. Our name is inspired by the mythological Middle Eastern deities of wind (Shu) and sun (Ra), and is a homonym of the Arabic word for 'council'. As such, we are perfectly situated to become a multi-stakeholder negotiation platform that will reflect Turkey's transformative power in renewable energies.”
Delivering introductory remarks, Sabancı University President Professor Zehra Sayers said, “Sabancı University, in association with national and international partners, has been undertaking successful initiatives and doing work on climate change and energy issues through the years. It now hosts the SHURA initiative to follow through on its vision of bringing together decision-makers, the private sector, and civil society organizations around original research focusing on analysis.”
Dr. Patrick Graichen, Executive Director of Agora Energiewende, the most influential energy think-tank in Germany, commented: “In Germany, we are aware of the importance of leading a global energy transformation, and have witnessed the benefits of renewable energies and efficiency technologies as costs go down quickly. I hope that the creative business minds in Turkey will join the governments and sectors that have realized the opportunities offered by energy transformation. Agora Energiewende has been established to discuss transformation based on multi-stakeholder technical research, making its collaboration with SHURA especially valuable. I believe SHURA will be a great business partner for Turkey's energy future.”
Discussing energy transformation in Turkey, SHURA founding partner European Climate Foundation's General Director Prof. Laurence Tubiana said, “Country-level energy transformation is prerequisite to implementing the Paris Convention. With an analytical foundation, a team knowledgeable in energy systems, and a transparent and data-centric attitude, I believe that SHURA will inspire Turkey's policies for transitioning to a safe, efficient and low-carbon energy system.”
SHURA Energy Transformation Center Director Dr. Değer Saygın discussed the economic opportunities that energy transformation would create, saying: “Turkey has been undergoing extensive change with a rapidly-growing economy, increasing energy demand, and progressively more competitive energy market, and has become one of Europe's most prolific wind and solar markets. An industry that provides solutions to energy transformation, investors who are open to flexible and new business models, and creative entrepreneurs are an asset for Turkey to play a leading role on a global scale."