Bioenergy Markets Turkey

Introduction:

Why Is The Turkish Bioenergy Industry Set for Rapid Growth?

This is the inaugural launch event of the Bioenergy Markets Turkey conference and exhibition andforms part of the Bioenergy Markets Global Series. This leading global series of events, now in its 6th year has attracted over 7000 high caliber delegates to date and comes to Istanbul at a crucial time for the diversification of Turkey’s energy mix. Turkey’s Bioenergy Markets are set for rapid growth because:

Demand
Turkey has a young, growing “energy thirsty” population of 72 million (61% are under the age of 35) coupled with a rapidly growing economy. The Turkish Government is very concerned with developing its energy independence as a major requirement and gear to the further development of its economy and is engaged in a thorough review and reassessment of its renewable energy infrastructures.

Importing Fossil Fuels
Even with Turkey’s key strategic location as an “energy bridge” between the key oil/gas deposits and Europe, concern is still mounting about its fossil fuel dependency.  With predictions of rising future fossil fuel prices, a heavy reliance on importing energy (only 30% of energy demand is currently met domestically) and a rapidly developing economy Turkey must actively diversify its energy mix now to protect future growth.

EU Targets
Momentum is also building to meet the 20% EU 2020 sustainable energy target as part of Turkey’s moves for greater economic union and to join the EU and the Turkish government is aware that future threats to global trade could come in the form of carbon taxes on goods. Hence a vibrant, domestic clean energy production would also act as a hedge for Turkish goods and guarantee future access to markets.

New Regulations
In line with its new environmental strategy, the Turkish Government through its agency EMRA (Energy Market Regulatory Authority), is proposing new regulations and policies to help ease the process for launching bioenergy projects, smooth environmental planning applications and encourage private investment.

Supply
Turkey offers excellent conditions for renewable energy sources. The country has a very high natural level of renewable energy resources that can give a huge contribution to the total energy network of the country.  About two-thirds of current renewable energy production is already obtained from bioenergy, which is used to meet a variety of energy needs, including generating electricity, heating homes, providing process heat for industrial facilities and fueling vehicles.

Land, Jobs and Rural Development
There are substantial areas of abandoned agricultural land that are not managed and are becoming overgrown. Creating demand for biomass fuel would help to bring these areas back into the economy.

Of the key biomass energy sources, wood, plant and animal wastes, fuel wood has a very high share of the total energy production at 21% and this could grow significantly with greater efficiency and technology. The annual biomass energy potential of Turkey is about 32 million tones oil equivalents (Mtoe) and bioelectricity production could have a net impact of USD.4 billion and represent more than 160,000 new jobs.

A network of bioenergy plants would also help rural development, improving income distribution and potentially provide millions of households with incomes, livelihood activities and employment.

Attracting Investment
Despite the year long global economic downturn, Turkey is still a growing economy and reports show growing interest from the investment and banking community in funding energy-related and environmentally-efficient infrastructure projects. A rising number of business ventures in Turkey supported by private equity funds are targeting the nascent Turkish bioenergy market place.

Bioenergy Turkey 2010 is taking place as part of TIREC – the Turkish International Renewable Energy Congress. 
Delegates will have the opportunity to attend the plenary TIREC keynote sessions and benefit from extensive networking with 500+ renewable energy experts.

Confirmed TIREC Plenary Session Keynote Speakers Include:

Bioenergy Markets Turkey Keynote Speaker:

Plus, Bioenergy Markets Turkey Confirmed Speakers Include:

• Erdal Çalıkoğlu, Deputy General Manager, Ministry of Energy Electrical Power Resources Survey and Development Administration (EİE), Turkey 
• İsmail Belen, Deputy General Director, Ministry of Environment and Forestry General Directorate of Forestry, Turkey
• Prof. Dr. Günnur Koçar, Chair, Ege University, Turkey 
• Erkan Erdoğdu, Energy Expert & PhD Candidate, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
• E. Emrah Hatunoğlu, Planning Expert, T.R. Prime Ministry State Planning Organisation, Turkey - Read 60 second interview
• Dr. Talat Şentürk, Deputy General Manager, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Turkey
• Javier Herrero, Co-founder and Managing Partner, Bauhaus Capital Partners, Spain
• Orhan Beşkök, Executive Vice President, Industrial Development Bank of Turkey (TSKB), Turkey
• Dr. Hüdai Kara, Head of Renewables, Oakdene Hollis, United Kingdom
• Dr. Vural Cengiz, Director, Abalaco, USA
• Altan Denizsel, President, Biogas Investment and Development Association, Turkey - Read 60 second interview
• Itır Adıgüzel, Commercial Adviser, Dorset Green Machines, The Netherlands
• Yılmaz Albayrak, Chairman, FINNTYR Group, Finland
• Prof. Dr. Filiz Karaosmanoğlu, Head of Department of Energy Systems Engineering of Yalova University and Istanbul Technical University, Turkey
• Ahmet Tüzün, President, The Bio-ethanol Manufacturers' Association of Turkey, Turkey - Read 60 second interview
• A Senior Representative, Servizi Industriali, Italy
• Selçuk Borovalı, General Manager, DB Tarımsal Enerji, Turkey
• Mustafa Çakıroğlu, Head of Department, Tobacco and Alcohol Market Regulatory Authority (TAPDK), Turkey
• Dr. Figen Ar, Chair, World Energy Council Biofuels Working Group, Turkey
• Prof. Dr. Galip Akay, Professor of Chemical Engineering, Newcastle University, UK
• Dr. Mustafa Tırıs, Director, The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey, Turkey
• Şahin Gizlenici, Chair, the Black Sea Agricultural Research Institute Department of Field Crops, Turkey
• Dr. Talat Şentürk, Deputy General Manager, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Turkey
• Lale Çapalov, Managing Partner, Mavi Consultants, Turkey