Real Estate & Environmental News in Turkey from Propertyshowrooms.com

Turkey Looks to Increase R and D into Renewable Energy

Tue, 3 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Turkey's dependency on fossil fuel imports is no secret but a big problem, one which the government is keen on helping to solve. In recent years Turkey has become known as one of the fore thinkers in the creation of renewable energy, and investment in the sector is growing massively as it becomes recognized as a sector with massive growth potential -- the government's support adds a layer of safety to investments.

The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) feels that interdisciplinary R&D and innovation studies will help Turkey to realise its renewable energy potential, and will also help with Turkey's vision of becoming an energy corridor.

At the moment Turkey imports 75% of its energy which is equivalent to 99,000,000 tonnes of oil. It is expected to need 218,000,000 tonnes of oil by 2020.

Data released by the Organisation for Economic Corporation and Development (OECD) found that, while the Turkish population makes up 6% of the OECD total, the country contributes just 2% of its energy. The average OECD energy used per capita is equivalent to 0.18 tonnes of oil whereas in Turkey it is equivalent to 0.28 tonnes of oil. The average energy self-sufficiency rate is only 27.5% in Turkey compared to an average of 70% in OECD countries.

All the above data points towards the urgent need for speeding up research and development into energy in Turkey, which has a lot of catching up to do with more developed countries. To do so Turkey must focus on developing the necessary sources to create technological advancements, skills and support institutions.

Turkey has to lower its levels of greenhouse gas emissions by next year in order to meet conditions set by the Kyoto protocol. TUBITAK is hoping to encourage the private sector in Turkey to develop green technologies and still aims to keep its 2023 goal of having Turkey produce 30% of its energy through renewable sources.

It's likely that this will involve a variety of energy types in order to produce power from solar, wind and hydroelectric sources. Another important energy source is likely to come from hydrogen burning technologies while energy storage and power system capacities are also likely to benefit from R & D. TUBITAK still sees nuclear energy as being important in reducing greenhouse emissions.

The need for renewable energy will only become more important when Turkey enters the EU as it is currently considering an energy tax based on carbon emissions. The new tax is aiming to reduce consumption of fossil fuels and promote renewable energy sources that emit less CO2. However, it is only a proposal at this stage, and Germany has already voiced its opposition to the new rules, because it fears it would affects its automobile industry.

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Turkey to introduce new energy efficient property laws

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Individuals interested in buying property in Turkey in the coming year may be affected by a change to the country's energy efficiency laws.

A new system which comes into force in 2011 is set to measure the energy efficiency of every property in Turkey, with inefficient homes being forced to pay higher taxes.

Buildings will be rated according to how much energy they save before being given a grade between A and G - a grade A for the most energy efficient buildings and G for the least energy efficient.

Public works and housing minister Mustafa Demir told the Today's Zaman newspaper: "We expect to finish labelling all buildings by 2017."

The grades will also give people an idea about the amount of greenhouse gases those buildings release and the identifications are expected to help people take into account how energy efficient and environmentally friendly buildings are before they decide to buy or rent.

Mr Demir believes that housing contractors will eventually start attaching more importance to building maximum energy-efficient and minimum greenhouse gas-producing buildings once the new practice comes into force.

Eco-development to be built in Turkey

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Property investors interested in eco-developments will be pleased by news that one British developer has decided to go green in the emerging market of Turkey.

UK-based property developer Galliard Homes and Turkish-based Signature International have decided to implement a joint venture which will see them build an eco-friendly project in the popular destination of Bodrum.

The Horizon Sky resort is set to feature a number of apartments, penthouses and villas based in a small community with local amenities.

Daniel Dias, from Horizon Sky, said that new developments in Turkey were required to adhere to certain standards.

"Environmentally, Turkey has its eye on the bigger picture, addressing waste management and air pollution in its big cities, as part of its goal to joining the EU," he explained.

"Yet we've opted to exceed Turkish standards and instead emulate British standards. It's both the responsible and ethical thing to do."

Earlier this year, it was revealed that eco-friendly developments in the US sold faster and at higher prices than other sectors of the market.

The research, carried out by Green Works Realty, showed that the environmentally-friendly properties commanded prices approximately 25 per cent higher than their counterparts.