IICEC/Güray: Energy Efficiency is Crucial for a Sustainable Energy Future
Foreks - Bora Şekip Güray, Director of the Istanbul International Center for Energy and Climate (IICEC) at Sabancı University, stated that developments in energy efficiency offer multifaceted benefits for Turkey's energy security and energy transformation goals. Güray noted, "Technological solutions and changes in consumption behavior that can make energy demand more efficient and of higher added value are crucial for achieving a more sustainable energy future, both economically and environmentally."
"Energy Efficiency Week" is celebrated every year in the second week of January to raise awareness and strengthen consciousness regarding energy efficiency. This year, activities will be conducted from January 6 to 12, reiterating the importance and diverse contributions of energy efficiency. Emphasizing the significance of Energy Efficiency Week activities for the widespread adoption of energy efficiency awareness among the public, Güray expressed his satisfaction with the growing awareness of energy efficiency. He also highlighted the importance of technological solutions and changes in consumption behavior that will lead to more efficient and higher value-added energy demand for the goals of a more sustainable energy future.
Bora Şekip Güray emphasized that investments aimed at advancing energy efficiency are among the critical supporters of Turkey's goals for a safer, competitive, clean, and sustainable energy future, offering multifaceted energy, economic, and climate benefits. He mentioned that the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources announced the Energy Efficiency 2030 Strategy and Action Plan at the beginning of 2024, which aims for a total investment of 20.2 billion dollars in energy efficiency by 2030. “In this context, it is essential to strengthen investments through financial support for energy efficiency projects, green transformation-focused investment and incentive planning, the development of energy performance contracting models, and inter-sectoral collaborations and synergies. Recently, Turkey has stood out among OECD countries with its performance in reducing energy intensity. Sustaining this performance is crucial for achieving economic and social development goals and for a more sustainable energy future through efficient growth,” he stated.
Highlighting that energy efficiency provides valuable opportunities for reducing the energy import bill, strengthening energy supply security and flexibility, and achieving carbon-neutral energy future goals, Güray said, “In IICEC's efforts towards a safer and cleaner energy future, the contributions of energy efficiency to Turkey's energy security, competitive energy supply, and clean energy transformation stand out. In Turkey's growing energy system, approximately two-thirds of energy supply still depends on imported fossil fuels. Recent increases in domestic oil, natural gas, and renewable energy production, along with strengthened 2030-2035 targets, present critical opportunities for increasing efficiency in energy supply and consumption, thereby reducing the negative impact of the energy import bill on the current account balance. Energy efficiency is becoming more prominent in Turkey's energy transformation goals, just as it is worldwide, for a vision of a carbon-neutral energy future. Energy efficiency, alongside growth in renewable energy, will be one of the two key areas with the highest potential and impact in achieving the desired reduction pathway in the 2053 net-zero target and greenhouse gas emissions. Evaluating Turkey's renewable energy and clean electrification goals through a holistic and technology-focused perspective, along with energy efficiency opportunities, will advance these benefits.”
Güray noted, “The targets in the Energy Efficiency Action Plan and our analyses indicate significant efficiency opportunities.” He added, “We have multi-dimensional opportunity areas such as enhancing insulation performance in buildings, increasing the prevalence of projects that improve efficiency in industrial energy consumption processes, improvements in fuel economy of vehicle fleets in transportation and integrated mobility solutions, efficiency improvements in agricultural irrigation, and maintaining efficiency increases in existing and new electricity generation units and electricity networks. Additionally, we are entering a period where we will focus more on efficient district heating opportunities, the efficiency of new energy technologies, and creating value from the interactions between efficiency and digitalization. Developments in carbon pricing, such as the Border Carbon Adjustment Mechanism (BCAM) and Turkey's Emission Trading System (ETS), are expected to strengthen the focus on energy efficiency in industry and across the economy, bringing new business models to the forefront. The more efficient and rational use of energy is also very important in terms of reducing and managing energy costs.”
“Electricity demand is diversified and increased by dynamic factors.” Bora Şekip Güray pointed out that electrification is one of the strongest trends in the energy sector in Turkey, just as it is worldwide. He stated, “We have dynamic factors that diversify and increase electricity demand across a wide spectrum, from the spread of electric road transportation to electrification targets in rail systems, from heat pump solutions to digital transformation. These also present opportunities that contribute to more efficient energy use. Uses such as electric motors, electric appliances, and general lighting also hold significant potential for the more efficient development of electrification.”