FAQ

Geothermal energy is the natural heat of the Earth. This heat, estimated to be around 5,500 degrees Celsius, is nearly as hot as the surface of the Sun. It is generated from the decay of radioactive elements in the Earth's crust since the formation of our planet and is transmitted underground through heat conduction and radiation. The temperature of the Earth increases as one goes deeper, a phenomenon known as the "Geothermal Gradient."

Since ancient times, humanity has used geothermal resources for various purposes. It was understood in the early 20th century that geothermal sources, which had been used for bathing, heating, and cooking for centuries, actually possess a much higher energy potential.

Today, geothermal energy is extensively used in electricity generation, heating, cooling, agricultural production, thermal tourism, fruit and vegetable cultivation, and drying. 

Geothermal is a reliable and environmentally friendly energy source, playing a key role among sustainable energy sources due to its high availability and capacity factor without reliance on external sources.

So far, only a small portion of the global geothermal potential has been discovered. This indicates a high potential and growth area for geothermal energy not only in electricity generation but also in direct use in many sectors.

As of the end of 2023, Turkey ranks first in Europe and fourth in the world in terms of installed capacity of geothermal energy-based electricity (1691 MW).

According to the registered discoveries of the General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration, there are 62,000 MW of geothermal discoveries in Turkey. Considering the undiscovered resources, it is evident that Turkey is among the countries with the highest geothermal potential in the world.

One of the largest producers in the Turkish iron and steel sector, the Kocaer Group has prioritized clean energy investments among its strategic investment priorities within the framework of its vision for net-zero emissions by 2030.

In this context, Kocaer has installed solar power plants on the roofs of all its factories in Aliağa and currently meets approximately one-third of its electricity consumption from these plants.

The 24 MW geothermal power plant to be built by Kocaer Enerji A.Ş., the energy company of the Kocaer Group, in the Kuyucak district of Aydın will represent a new phase in its clean energy investment strategy.

Upon completion of the investment, Kocaer Group, which will achieve full energy independence with approximately 20% of the energy to be produced, will reach a carbon-neutral position, moving from a position of demanding carbon credits from the market to offering them.

Kocaer Enerji aims to sell 80% of the remaining energy production for 15 years in USD under the Renewable Energy Resources Support Mechanism, thus reaching a structure that supplies carbon credits.

The 24 MW geothermal power plant that Kocaer Enerji is starting to build within the borders of Aydın's Kuyucak district will utilize binary cycle technology, meeting the highest environmental standards recognized globally.

The air-cooled nature of the plant, which does not require water consumption, will significantly contribute to the preservation of agricultural lands in the region, thus protecting agricultural water resources while creating positive effects on the local ecosystem balance.

The planned geothermal power plant will support sustainable energy production by minimizing environmental impacts while generating energy using binary cycle technology.

The use of modern technology aiming for high efficiency in energy production with low environmental impact is also expected to make a significant contribution to the green energy transition.

At the Kocaer Geothermal Energy Plant, 100% of the geothermal fluid extracted from approximately 3,000 meters underground will be reinjected (the fluid being sent back underground through a closed-loop system) to balance the reservoir pressure and maximize sustainable energy production with zero emissions.

A Solar Energy System (SES) investment for the plant's internal consumption is also planned.

Among the countries with the highest geothermal potential in the world, Turkey drilled its first geothermal well for electricity generation purposes in 1968 in Sarayköy, Denizli. The first geothermal power plant in Turkey, and the second in Europe after Italy, with an installed capacity of 15 MWe, was commissioned in 1984 in the Kızıldere Geothermal Field.

Following the completion of the legal and regulatory process of the Renewable Energy Resources Support Mechanism  in 2010, there was a significant increase in investment momentum in the sector.

Between 2010-2020, with geothermal power plant investments concentrated in the provinces of Aydın, Manisa, and Denizli, Turkey's installed capacity increased more than a hundredfold in ten years, surpassing 1600 MW. This investment momentum has been referred to as the "Turkish Miracle" in the geothermal energy literature and has attracted worldwide attention.

Geothermal greenhouses play a key role in overcoming the problems of quality and efficiency in production, which are major issues in our agricultural sector. As of 2024, Turkey has the potential to become the world's production hub in soilless agriculture with the increase in the number of geothermal-heated greenhouses, currently at 6,000 hectares.

The existing geothermal greenhouses in Turkey have already surpassed the efficiency achieved by developed countries in greenhouse cultivation. While enabling the production of traditional agricultural products at the desired scale and in every season, it is also possible to produce high-value and exportable agricultural products, especially tropical ones.

Turkey has thermal tourism facilities capable of hosting 3-4 million domestic tourists annually. However, if the necessary facilities and capacity increases are realized, Turkey could easily attract at least 10 million thermal tourists and earn at least 20 billion dollars in thermal tourism revenue.

As the leading country in geothermal energy in Europe, Turkey only has a thermal bed capacity of 61,000. In Germany, which has far fewer geothermal resources than Turkey, there are 750,000 thermal beds, and this country hosts more than 10 million tourists annually.

As of 2023, more than half of Turkey's geothermal energy installed capacity is located in Aydın province. The highest capacity in geothermal energy, 8504 MW, is located in Aydın, mainly in the Aegean Region. Aydın is followed by Denizli with 3538 MW, Manisa with 3492 MW, Çanakkale with 28 MW, İzmir with 12 MW, and Afyonkarahisar with 3 MW.

As of 2023, Turkey heats 157,000 residences using geothermal energy. Afyon, with 55,000 residences, is the leading city in this area. In Afyon's Sandıklı district, 30,000 residences are heated with geothermal energy, while 25,000 residences are heated in the Ömer-Gecek region.

İzmir also has a significant share in this area with 42,000 residences heated.

Approximately one-third of the 52 billion cubic meters of natural gas consumed in Turkey annually is used for heating residences. Meeting this consumption with our domestic geothermal resources means that the foreign currency equivalent of approximately 17 billion cubic meters of natural gas, which is entirely imported, would remain within the country.