HYDROELECTRIC ENERGY

Sources of Energy

• The level of energy consumption indicates the level of industrialization and prosperity of countries. Recently, annual energy consumption per capita in Turkey has reached 2,100 kWh (kilowatt hours), which is still below the world average of 2,500 kWh. The average energy consumption for the developed countries is 8,900 kWh, but it varies from 12,322 kWh in the USA to 827 kWh in China. Industrialization is our main target on the road to economic and social development. Therefore, it is essential to meet the energy demands of industry and other consumers in a timely and sustainable manner.
• While total energy generation in Turkey in the 1950’s was a mere 800 GWh (gigawatt hours), this figure has increased by about 190 times, reaching 151,000 GWh/year today. The current installed capacity in Turkey is 37,500 MW (megawatt), which could generate an average of 220,000 GWh/year; however, total generation remains at 151,000 GWh for reasons such as failures, maintenance and repair activities, operation policy, economic recession, low demand, drought, efficiency, etc. In other words, average capacity utilisation remains at 69%. Capacity utilisation has been 59% in thermal plants and 105% in hydroelectric power plants. 31% of energy generation in Turkey depends on hydroelectric power, which is a renewable energy source, and the remaining 69% on thermal power (natural gas, lignite, coal, fuel oil, etc., which are fossil fuels). A special emphasis has recently been placed on alternative energy sources such as wind and geothermal power and there have been some steps taken towards introducing the use of nuclear power as well.

(*) Reference: APK (Research, Planning and Coordination Department) of TEİAŞ (Turkish Electricity Transmission Authority, January 2005

• Natural gas and oil in Turkey are insufficient energy resources. Therefore, Turkey has to import oil, natural gas, and even hard coal to meet its energy needs. In recent years, an upward trend has taken place in the consumption of natural gas in Turkey for both domestic and industrial use. Natural gas power plants aim to meet the growing energy demands of industries. Therefore, the share of hydroelectric power has dropped while the share of thermal energy has increased in overall energy generation. Nevertheless, the European Union places great emphasis on green power in energy policies (hydroelectric, wind, solar, and biomass energies). Thus, it is important to harmonize the energy policy and relevant legislation in Turkey with European energy policy. Consequently, the weight of hydroelectric power in overall generation needs to be increased. The two authorities in charge of developing hydropower potential are DSİ and the Electrical Power Resources Survey and Development Administration. The latter focuses more on survey and planning, whereas DSİ deals with both planning and realization of projects.
• The following table makes a comparison of various sources of energy in terms of air pollution, effects on climate, normal operational radioactivity, eyesores, meeting peak demand, and risk vulnerability. This table indicates that hydroelectric power plants are the least risky and the least harmful ones in comparison with the other types of power plants.

A Scaled Graphic Showing Drawbacks of Various Power Plants

Hydroelectric power plants should be preferred because of their environment-friendly technologies with the lowest risk potential. These plants are able to respond to unexpected demand fluctuations. Therefore, they are operated as peak power plants in Turkey as well as in other countries. Hydroelectric power is environment-friendly, clean, renewable, able to meet peak demands, highly efficient (over 90%), involves no fuel cost, is a balancer of energy prices, has a long life- span (200 years), its cost recovery is short-run (5-10 years), its operational costs are low, (approximately 0.2 cent/kWh), and it is an indigenous source of energy which is national and natural.

Note: In the above tables, production values show the figures that cumulative electricity productions (kWh) obtained until 2003 have been multiplied by 5 cents for one kilowatt hour.

Turkey’s Hydroelectric Potential

• The gross theoretical viable hydroelectric potential in Turkey is 433 billion kWh and the technically viable potential is 216 billion kWh. The economically viable potential, however, is 127 billion kWh. The tax deductions and subsidy policies for green energy in the European Union will contribute to efforts aimed at increasing the economically viable potential of hydroelectricity.

• The USA has developed 86% of the country’s technically viable hydroelectric potential while Japan has realized 78%, Norway 68%, Canada 56% and Turkey 21%. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has foreseen a 53% increase of the current use of world hydroelectric power and other renewable energy sources by 2020, which is a sign that all hydroelectric potential will be put into operation. The European Commission has incorporated an action plan into the European Union strategies to double the ratio of renewable energy sources in gross internal energy consumption (from 6% to 12%) and to increase the same ratio to 22.1% in terms of electricity generation by 2010.
• The annual increase in energy consumption is 6-8% in Turkey, except for recession years. In order to meet this growing demand, Turkey has to invest US$ 3-4 billion in new energy projects each year. As can be seen all over the world, power generation is a vital issue, therefore it is important for every country that energy be produced in self-sufficient, reliable, constant, and economical ways. For that matter, all energy alternatives should be thoroughly evaluated, starting from hydroelectric power potentials running with local energy sources, which are not dependent on other countries.

Reference: TEİAŞ-Turkey Electric Energy Generation Planning Studies (2005-2020)-Oct. 2004

HYDROELECTRIC POWER DEVELOPMENT IN TURKEY

POTENTIAL : 36,260 MW (678 HEPPs)

IN OPERATION : 12,631 MW (135 HEPPs)

Turkey’s Hydroelectric Power Development in Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) and in the Rest of Turkey

• There ongoing plans for creation of a second chain of major hydroelectric projects around the Coruh Basin. When all of the projects (8,260 GWh) in the Coruh River Master Plan are completed, this chain of projects will exploit 6.4% of Turkey’s overall hydroelectric potential. In order to define the work phases of these projects, PR for “Plans Ready”; FDR for “Final Design Ready”; UC for “Under Construction” and IO for "In Operation" are used.

• The most important step of the energy conversion process is the construction of dams with large reservoirs that require specialization or expertise in these types of constructions. Here are some of the major steps of dam construction:

Once the feasibility study of a dam is completed, the final design and application projects are prepared before construction actually begins.

The first step in construction is the diversion of the riverbed by means of a diversion tunnel and cofferdam in order to dry the construction site.

Diversion structures are so dimensioned that they can resist a flood with a recurrence interval of 25 years.

Excavation for the dam body commences.

 As the body rises, safety discharge units (spillway, sluice gate) are constructed.

 If a dam has a Hydroelectric Power Plant (HEPP), the electro-mechanical equipment is installed.

* The private sector will construct the HEPP due to licences issed by EPDK (Energy Market Regulatory Authority).

** Being built pursuant to intergovernmental agreement with full financing.

DAMS AND HYDROPOWER STATIONS IN OPERATION IN TURKEY (CAPACITIES LARGER THAN 100 MW)