Less bureacracy through introducing an "umbrella frame" is required to reduce the waiting period for Turkey's weather-driven energy licenses which could supply most of the nation’s electricity, according to Turkish Wind Energy Association (TUREB) President Mustafa Serdar Ataseven on Monday.
The current waiting period is lengthy taking about seven to eight years for a single license. Energy firms have to apply to approximately 40 different state offices including Energy and Natural Minister, the Energy Regulatory Authority and to various state officials to comply with regulations.
Turkey's wind energy potential is more than double of the current total installed capacity, Ataseven said, adding that it is therefore important to ease the license waiting period.
"Both domestic and international investors have great interest in Turkey for wind energy," he added.
"Turkey's installed capacity for wind power can reach 25 thousand megawatts (MW) by 2020. We don't have difficulties in finding financing and there are no technology-related issues. We believe we can reach that target," he stated.
Turkey added a record high 956 MW of installed capacity to reach 4,718 MW in total wind capacity in 2015, according to Turkish Wind Energy Association Wind Report released at the beginning of February. Turkey's installed wind capacity reached 2,958 MW in 2013. and in 2014, the total wind capacity reached 3,762 MW.
For the first time, unlicensed wind power was also taken into consideration. According to the report, Turkey is currently operating 10,400 MW capacity from 14 unlicensed wind projects.
Ataseven said that for 2016, more than 1,000 MW of additional installed capacity is expected.
"Turkey also aims to add more than 20 percent renewable energy capacity in its total energy mix by 2023," he said, adding that Turkey should focus more on wind energy infrastructure projects in the next couple of years to reach this target.
(Anadolu Agency)
