Overview of potential and utilization of renewable energy sources in Turkey

The necessity of minimizing environmental impacts of energy use, particularly those with potentially worrisome global effects, is perhaps the greatest challenge resulting from the twentieth century's energy advances. The renewable energy technologies of wind, biofuels, solar thermal and photovoltaics are finally showing maturity and the ultimate promise of cost competitiveness. Turkey's demand for energy and electricity is increasing rapidly and heavily dependent on expensive imported fossil energy resources that place a big burden on the economy and environmental pollution is becoming an important concern in the country. With respect to global environmental issues, Turkey's carbon dioxide emissions have grown along with its energy consumption. States have played a leading role in protecting the environment by reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. In this regard, renewable energy resources appear to be the one of the most efficient and effective solutions for clean and sustainable energy development in Turkey. This study shows that there is huge potential for renewable energy in Turkey, especially hydropower, biomass, geothermal, solar and wind. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.