YAZILI BASINDA ODAMIZ

 
Officials say the spread of power cuts throughout the country is imminent given that the current energy production fails to meet overall public consumption. They warn power cuts will have catastrophic impacts on the country's fragile economy
 

FULYA ÖZERKAN/ ANKARA
Turkey is headed toward serious water and power cuts caused by the drying up of dams due to the lingering drought.

Regular cuts in water supplies start today in the capital at a time of extreme summer heat, while power cuts have already struck three provinces, Antalya, Denizli and Isparta.

Power cuts particularly affected coastal tourist cities in the Aegean and the Mediterranean regions as they experience a population surge during the holiday season. Hotels are also accused of wasteful energy consumption.

The average consumption in Antalya, Denizli and Isparta is around 900 megawatts and the Oymapınar dam in the region is unable to meet the energy needs. The three cities will have to get used to regular cuts until the gradual resumption of full power supply.

Officials say the spread of power cuts throughout the country is imminent given that the current energy production fails to meet the overall public consumption. They also warn that electricity cuts will have catastrophic impacts on the country‘s fragile economy, as well as on tourism.

Cengiz Göltaş of the Ankara chamber of electrical engineers told the Turkish Daily News that the government was accountable for the energy crisis knocking at the country‘s door, as it was unable to take urgent measures, though it was warned months before. "Not only the current government but also the previous governments have failed to make new investments in the energy sphere over the last 20 years, and instead killed time with empty talks over nuclear power plants," he said.

Turkey fourth in energy consumption:

In 2006, Turkey consumed 176 billion kilowatt hours of energy, which shows an 8.4 percent increase compared to the year 2005. Data from the last 20 years shows that Turkey ranks fourth with an annual constant surge in energy consumption, following China, India and Brazil respectively. Turkey‘s average consumption in 2007 is expected to hit 190 billion kilowatt hours.

Officials warn that water levels at Turkey‘s primary reservoirs over Yeşilırmak, Kızılırmak, and the Euphrates rivers are at an alarming low due to the lack of precipitation leading to a serious drop in productivity at hydroelectric plants. Panic is spreading swiftly among the populace that water and power cuts will be prevalent throughout the country.

But the government brushed aside fears and said energy cuts will be restricted to a few cities, though it admitted that even some countries in Europe announced a code red over the hottest summer in the last 78 years. "Energy consumption reached unexpected levels in certain regions. For example, the consumption in Antalya hit 44 percent over the last two months. The Turkish Electricity Distribution Company enhanced the infrastructure of the city by 109 percent," Energy Minister Hilmi Güler said.

"There is no problem right now as we can meet consumption quotas with sound infrastructure," he added.

But officials warn Turkey will face serious energy crises in the very near future unless durable solutions are found. Lessening dependence on outside sources for energy, implementing policies for the use of local renewable energy resources and encouraging public investments can remedy this problem said officials. Otherwise the entire infrastructure and industry of the country will sustain irreparable damage.

Water levels at reservoirs:

Because of the drop in the water levels at reservoirs, dams connected to these reservoirs cannot operate at full capacity. According to data by the State Waterworks Authority (DSİ), water levels at reservoirs all over Turkey decreased by 12 percent in July compared to the same month in 2006.

The active energy producing level of the reservoirs, from July 30, dropped to 48 percent. This is a 12 percent drop from last year‘s 60 percent. The dam on the Euphrates, an essential part of the national power grid, has a 58 percent active water level. Electricity production on the Tigris retains 49.7 percent active water capacity while Kızılırmak has dropped an enormous amount from 33.8 percent to 20.6 percent, according to DSİ figures.

(Turkish Daily News, 01.07.2007)

Bağlantılar

www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=79807