Turkey's Coal Potential and Future Appearances

Turkey has very limited indigenous energy resources and has to import around 65% of primary energy to meet her needs. Turkey's vibrant economy has led to increased energy demand in recent years. Of Turkey's total energy consumption, around half is used by the industrial sector, a quarter in residential, and the rest in transportation and commercial. Turkey's share of natural energy resources in terms of world reserves is coal, 0.6%; geothermal energy, 0.8%; and hydroelectric energy, 1%; though petroleum and natural gas reserves are quite limited. Lignite is the dominant source of energy produced in Turkey. Nearly 75% of the indigenous lignite is consumed in thermal power plants. Total lignite reserves are estimated at 8075 Mtoe, of which 7339 Mtoe (88%) is economically feasible. Turkey produced 12.8 Mtoe of lignite and 1.8 Mtoe of hard coal and consumed 12.8 Mtoe of lignite, and 8.15 Mtoe of hard coal in 2000.

Keywords:

• Turkey's coal potential
• production
• consumption
• environmental impacts

Notes

^a Mtoe: million tons of oil equivalent.

*Characteristics of reserves suitable for power plants contruction.