Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, Kalyon Construction, and Türkerler Energy have formed a tripartite consortium that will participate in an upcoming Wind Energy Renewable Energy Resource Area (YEKA) project bidding.
The project, initiated by the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, involves an estimated $1.2 billion investment to Turkey. It aims at the domestication in equipment and technology and requires at least 65 percent local inputs to establish wind power plants that will have a combined output of 1,000 megawatts.
Among the strongest features of the consortium were the Kalyon Construction's experience in mega projects and growth determination in the energy sector, Türkerler Energy's project development expertise in the field of wind energy as well as innovative technologies from Siemens Gamesa, the world's leading manufacturer of wind turbines.
Alongside the YEKA consortium agreement, the three companies also signed a framework agreement. Accordingly, two 210-MW wind power plants will be built by the consortium.
As part of the project, the Zonguldak Wind Energy Plant will generate around 366 million kWh of energy annually, enough to meet the demands of 110,000 households. The plant with an installed capacity of 120 MW will use 34 "SWT-3.7-130" turbines.
Meanwhile, the Bozhöyük Wind Power Plant, with 25 SWT- 3.7-130 turbines, will generate 300 million kWh annually. With an installed capacity of 90 MW power, the plant will meet the energy needs of almost 95,000 households in Bilecik's Bozhöyük district.
The consortium also agreed on long-term cooperation and will cover possible YEKA projects in the coming years.
In the meantime, the U.S., China, Germany, Denmark and a few other European countries have also expressed their interest in the tender bids that are to be submitted between July 22 and July 27.
The 1,000-MW wind power plant, planned to be commissioned in 2023, will meet the demands of 1.2 million households. The first YEKA project will also provide employment to thousands of people.
With YEKA, the process has been accelerated for wind power in Turkey. The project was launched by Energy and Natural Resources Minister Berat Albayrak with the aim of ending Turkey's external dependency for energy and ultimately place it in the category of exporting countries. It was also said that approximately 350 to 400 turbines will be placed in the areas to be selected by the company to win the tender.