Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar stated that the share of domestic coal in electricity generation will be increased in an environmentally friendly manner and said, “Hopefully, we will reach 6 million tons annually as soon as possible.”
Minister Bayraktar visited KIAS Coal Enterprises and EUAS Cayirhan Thermal Power Plant Operations Directorate and received information about the activities of the enterprises.
In his speech at KIAS Coal Enterprises, Bayraktar thanked the workers who showed great heroism in the rescue operations they participated in during the Kahramanmaras-centered earthquakes that occurred on February 6, 2023.
Bayraktar underlined that they aim to ensure that the participation of mine workers in rescue efforts is carried out under a more institutional structure, and that they have held meetings with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, AFAD and various institutions in this context.
Stating that approximately 1/3 of electricity production in Turkiye is provided by coal and 38 million tons of coal are imported annually, Bayraktar said that they want to increase the share of domestic resources in order to end foreign dependence on energy.
In this context, Bayraktar pointed out that they aim to increase the production of domestic coal in an environmentally friendly manner and said, “In this sense, we continued to use domestic coal during all AK Party governments, and we continue to do so. Hopefully, we will reach 6 million tons annually as soon as possible. The more you produce, the less you import.”
“Our first priority in the mine is occupational health and safety. Our second priority is the environment.”
Pointing out that coal consumption in energy has increased in Europe in 2022 and 2023 with the energy crisis experienced in recent years, despite criticisms about the effects of coal on the environment, Bayraktar said, “Therefore, we definitely need to bring our own coal into the economy as quickly as possible. That’s why we need coal. That’s why we need you, our valuable miner brothers, but we always say this. Our first priority in the mine is occupational health and safety. Our second priority is the environment. It is very important for us. While bringing our local mines, especially our coal, into the economy, we need to be able to do these together with the environment, without harming the environment, taking into account the environmental impacts.”
Source: Trthaber / Prepared by Irem Yildiz