Present Status and Future Prospects of Hydroelectric Energy in Turkey

Energy is an essential input for social development and economic growth. Economic growth is arguably the most important driver of energy demand. The energy requirement in Turkey is steadily increasing due to the rapid growth in population and industrialization and is being met by both commercial and renewable energy sources. Among the different forms of renewable energy, hydroelectric energy is one of the major resources in Turkey. Turkey's gross theoretical hydroelectric energy potential is 1% that of the World. The use of hydroelectric energy sources in Turkey is increasing steadily. The hydroelectric power generation sector is the primary consumer of the Turkish energy sector. Turkey will be able to produce only about one fourth of her primary energy demand by her own sources in the near future. Hydropower, being renewable, local, environment friendly, having long operational life and less maintenance cost, seems the most reliable energy source in Turkey, but it is obvious that in order to produce hydroelectric energy, the technically and economically feasible hydroelectric potential of the country should be considered.