Kalyon Holding Chairman of the Board of Directors Cemal Kalyoncu spoke at the Konya Karapinar SPP (YEKA-GES-1) SCADA center groundbreaking ceremony. Cemal Kalyoncu said, “We are living a historic day in terms of our country’s domestic and renewable energy breakthrough. Turkey has opened a new page in the field of energy.” Kalyoncu said, “We have completed the first phase of our power plant. I would like to express that our power plant is currently the largest solar power generation center in Turkey.”
Kalyon Holding Chairman of the Board of Directors Cemal Kalyoncu spoke at the Konya Karapinar SPP (YEKA-GES-1) SCADA center groundbreaking ceremony. Cemal Kalyoncu said, “We opened our Kalyon Solar Technologies Factory in Ankara with the presence of our President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on August 19, 2020. Our factory, which gathers all stages of solar panel production, including R&D, under one roof and is the first and only in the world with this feature, started its activities not only to produce panels but also to develop the technology that will carry Turkey forward in this field.”
IT WILL BE ONE OF THE LARGEST 5 POWER PLANS IN THE WORLD IN EUROPE
Cemal Kalyoncu said, “On the same day, we made our first panel assembly on this land, which is the size of 2600 football fields we are currently on. We have completed the assembly of 700 thousand panels in the intervening 9 months. Thus, we have completed the assembly of approximately 30% of the panels to be installed on the field. We have completed the first phase of our power plant. I would like to express that our power plant is currently the largest solar power generation center in Turkey. When all of them are put into operation, it will be one of the largest power plants in Europe and the 5 largest in the world.”
Kalyoncu said, “We will complete an investment of $1.4 billion in 2022. The investment will prevent an annual foreign exchange outflow of $400 million.”
“THIS POWER PLANT IS ONE OF THE POWER PLANS VISIBLE FROM SPACE.”
Speaking at the Konya Karapinar Solar Power Plant SCADA Center Groundbreaking Ceremony, Industry and Technology Minister Mustafa Varank said, “This region, which is the only desert of Turkey, will contribute to both the environment and the economy. The name of the architectural project is oasis. I thank the team that prepared this project. Last year, 42 tons of gold was produced. Those who say we are Ataturk’s party did not hit a pickaxe and look for gold. They did not operate in gold. We are successfully running the gold business. It is possible to multiply examples of lack of vision in other areas as well. A strong will like our President is paving our way.”
Minister Varank continued his speech, “We are taking steps in renewable energy in coordination with our other ministries. The Kalyon YEKA SPP project is one of the important examples in the world with a holistic perspective. This power plant is one of those that can be seen from space. The only real agenda of our country is investment, employment and production. I congratulate Kalyon Holding on this occasion. These investments are indicators of growth.”
“THIS WILL BRING US THROUGH THE GLOBAL RACE”
Environment and Urbanization Minister Murat Kurum said, “The whole project will be completed by the end of 2022 and will have significant contributions. An area the size of 2600 football fields. 30% of it has been completed. The entire area will be filled with solar energy. Fossil fuel use will be prevented. It will provide employment to our Konya. Both the municipality and our district governorship will organize excursions. Citizens will be informed. I wish the best for our youth and our nation.”
Minister Kurum said, “This investment will bring Konya to the fore in the global race. Today, we are proud of the fact that such a facility was built in our father’s home in Karapinar. Our President has united the children of the state and the nation. You see the service. May Allah be pleased with those who caused it.”
Fatih Donmez, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, said, “While there were only a few megawatts of solar power plants 5-6 years ago, today there is a solar power plant of over 7,000 megawatts. Hopefully, we will exceed 10 megawatts in a few years.”
Donmez told reporters after the Karapinar Solar Power Plant (GES) Site (YEKA GES-1) SCADA Center Groundbreaking Ceremony that the tender for the solar power plant in Karapinar was held 3-4 years ago.
Stating that Karapinar Solar Power Plant is Turkey’s first Renewable Energy Resource Areas power plant, Donmez said that approximately 270 megawatts of the 1,000-megawatt facility has been put into operation.
Emphasizing that they also laid the foundation of the automation center of this facility today, Donmez said:
“Our Minister of Environment accompanied us, and our Minister of Industry is here. It is a 100% environmentally friendly investment. Hopefully by the end of 2022, we will have commissioned this facility at full capacity. While there were only a few megawatts of solar power plants 5-6 years ago, today there is a solar power plant of over 7,000 megawatts. Hopefully, we will be able to exceed 10 megawatts in a few years.”
He said that the current installed power in renewable energy has reached 52% of the total installed power.
“NOW WE ARE LOCALIZING THE EQUIPMENT THAT CONVERTS THESE DOMESTIC AND CLEAN RESOURCES TO ENERGY”
Stating that the breakthroughs will continue, Donmez continued as follows:
“More than 90% of the capacity added to power generation facilities in the last 3-4 years consists of power generation facilities based on renewable energy resources, such as hydraulic, solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass. We are now also localizing the equipment that converts these domestic and clean resources into energy. Almost 75-80% of the equipment used at the power plant site in Karapinar is manufactured in Turkey.”
Source: AA / Translated by Irem Yildiz