Current Geothermal Energy Potential in Turkey and Use of Geothermal Energy

Turkey is the seventh-richest country in the world in geothermal potential. The first geothermal researches and investigations in Turkey started by the Turkey Mineral Research and Exploration Institute (MTA) in the 1960s. Upon this, 170 geothermal fields have been discovered by MTA, in which 95% of them are low-medium enthalpy fields, which are suitable mostly for direct-use applications. The overall geothermal potential in Turkey is about 38,000 MW. Of this potential, around 88% is appropriate for thermal use (temperature less than 473 K) and the remainder is appropriate for electricity production (temperature more than 473 K). Turkey has extended its involvement in geothermal energy projects, supported by loans from the Ministry of Environment, and geothermal energy is expected to increase substantially in the coming years. Overall, Turkey has an estimated 4,500 MW of geothermal power production potential.