Turkey's Coal Reserves, Potential Trends and Pollution Problems of Turkey

Abstract

Turkey, for nearly two decades, has been one of the fastest growing power markets in the world. Turkey's total energy consumption, around half is used by the industrial sector, a quarter in residential, and the rest in transportation and commercial. Turkey's domestic energy consumption has more than tripled, reaching a level of 3.2 quadrillion Btu (quads) and coal accounted for 31% of total energy consumption in year 2000. Turkey's coal reserves are 0.6% of the world reserves. Rich lignite deposits are spread all over the country. Total lignite reserves are estimated at 8075 Mtoe, of which 7339 Mtoe (88%) is economically feasible. Lignite extraction is expected to increase as the government feels pressure to close down unprofitable hard coal mines that are geologically difficult, increasing the cost of extraction. INTRODUCTIONThe energy demand of Turkey will be doubled between the years 2000-2010 and will be fivefold between 2000-2025.This rapid increase in demand is due to high economic development rate of Turkey. The estimated amount of investments for the production facilities by the year 2010 is around 55 billion dollars (Demirbas, 2002).Turkey's energy needs are increasing quickly. Increasing demand has resulted in increase in supply and due to the non-efficient use could cause serious economical, environmental and social problems. Energy is one of Turkey's most important development priorities. Turkey's energy demand is growing at a rate of 8% per year.Production and consumption of energy per unit person in a country is an important parameter indicating the level of development. But, as a developing nation, the energy consumption of Turkey still remains at low levels. Although most of the energy demand is met by hydroelectric, coal-fired power stations and recently by natural gas, the use of natural resources constitutes about 37% of the total demand. Turkey has large coal reserves particularly those of lignite. However, as the natural resources are not effectively used, due to inadequate policies, she has become dependent on imported energy sources.Turkey's natural energy resources are quite diversified; hard coal, lignite, asphaltite, oil, natural gas, hydro, geothermal, wood, animal and plant wastes, solar and secondary energy resources, such as coke and briquettes produced and consumed.

Role of Coal in Sustainable Energy Development

“…In spite of efforts to reduce costs, hard coal production is still subsidized, leading to distortions in inter fuel competition. However, brown coal (lignite) production appears to be more economical than hard coal [13]. In most countries throughout the world, underground mining has increasingly given way to surface operations due to the significant advantage that the latter confers upon labor productivity.…”

“…Coal is often the only alternative when low-cost, cleaner energy sources are inadequate to meet growing energy demand [13]. Despite the long-term importance of oil and gas use, coal will remain a major pillar of the world's energy supply [12].…”

Technical Assessment of Renewable Sources for Energy Use in Turkey

“…Total lignite reserves are estimated at 8440 mtonnes, of which 7340 mtonnes (88%) is economically feasible. 34% of the lignite capacity is being worked, while 3% is being developed (Balat and Ayar, 2004;Demirbas and Bakıs, 2004). Around 40% of Turkey's lignite is located in the Afsin-Elbistan basin of southeastern Anatolia, while hard coal is mined only in the Zonguldak basin of northwestern Turkey (Ogulata, 2003).…”

The Effects of Non-Controllable Factors in Efficiency Evaluation of Turkish Coal Enterprises

“…This percentage is expected to increase to 65% over the next 15 years. In 2050, coal will account for more than 20% of the world's primary energy (Balat and Ayar, 2004).…”