Advancing the dialogue on next-generation geothermal energy in Türkiye
On 30 November 2022, EAPOSYS met with senior representatives of the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources and the General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration (MTA) in Ankara. The four-hour working session followed initial discussions facilitated through Sabancı University and focused on the potential of Advanced Geothermal Systems (AGS) and their role in Türkiye’s future energy system.
Türkiye is already one of the countries leading geothermal development. MTA has identified around 450 geothermal fields, while conventional hydrothermal resources have an estimated electrical potential of approximately 4,500 MWe. At the same time, Türkiye’s longer-term ambitions are substantially greater: geothermal was projected to contribute around 7% of national electricity supply by 2050, corresponding to approximately 20,000 MWe. Bridging this gap will require geothermal technologies capable of operating beyond conventional hydrothermal resources
EXPLORING THE NEXT FRONTIER FOR GEOTHERMAL
This opportunity was at the heart of the Ankara discussions. EAPOSYS presented the potential of closed-loop AGS and discussed its advantages relative to Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) and its potential to expands geothermal development beyond conventional resources.
The meeting brought together senior representatives from both governmental institutions, including Leman Çetiner from the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources and Vedat Yanık, General Director of MTA, alongside Prof. Mehmet Yildiz, Vice President for Research and Development at Sabancı University, and the EAPOSYS delegation.
The Ankara visit marked an important step toward a shared ambition: unlocking geothermal energy beyond traditional geological hotspots and exploring how deep closed-loop systems could contribute to a secure, local and low-carbon energy future.
