The World can get rid of the threatening catastrophic climate crisis and energy problems thanks to use of renewable energy resources.
Need for green energy is supported by investments made in whole world, especially in European countries, as well as by governmental incentives.
The share of wind energy, accounting for just 1% in world energy production, in Denmark’s production is 20s% and wind energy is supported in Germany through incentives and guaranteed purchases.
While there are no incentives offered in Turkey yet, it is likely that Turkey will have a privileged position in wind energy-based electricity production in the future as it has the fifth largest wind potential in the world.
GWEC Report
While guaranteed purchase system is not implemented by government in Turkey, revisions made in May, 2007 brought about a slight increment in tariffs. Apart from that, there is no sanction with respect to sale of realised production to a national energy pool or to its direct sale.
In our country, activities in relation to efficient energy consumption and renewable energy resources are carried out by Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources as well as by various social institutions. In our country, the following laws took effect in line with the activities carried out in recent years;
Energy Efficiency Law (18.04.2007),
Law on Geothermal Resources and Mineral Waters (13.06.2007),
Law on Use of Renewable Energy Resources for Electrical Energy Production Purposes (18.05.2005), after having promulgated in Official Gazette.
GWEC Report End of 2008 European Installed Capacity
INSURING WIND POWER PLANTS
Making out insurance for wind power plants is quite a new field for insurers as far as Turkey is concerned; highest risk in encountered claims arises from machinery breakdown and lightning, while short circuit and fire carrying a lower risk. Storm risks vary depending on local circumstances.
When making out insurance for wind power plants is concerned; an ordinary fire policy would not meet your requirements. Wind power plants are facilities designed to generate energy and this fact must be considered while insuring. Wind turbine technologies are changing every passing day, with turbine technologies developing in ongoing way. While calculating premiums and determining policy conditions; due consideration must be given to duration and scope of warranty offered by producer, maintenance and audit conditions, defective design, properties of materials used and fire safety.
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
Turkey tops the chart in Europe and ranks seventh in the world as regards geothermal resources. Annual net domestic value-added which could be created exploiting total geothermal potential is about 20 billion US Dollars. 5% of Turkey’s electrical energy requirement and 30% of its heat energy requirement could be met if existing resources are utilised. West Anatolia stands out as regards availability of geothermal resources. Geothermal electricity production target set for 2013 is predicted as 4.4 billion kwh, which is quite close to total electricity production at Keban Dam at end of 2008.