Potential of hydroelectric energy

Abstract

The objective of this article is to investigate the status of hydraulic power plants (HPPs) in Turkey as of the end of 2000. Hydro-resources meet approximately 41% of Turkey's total installed capacity for electric power generation, while 25% of total electricity is generated from HPPs. 128 HPPs belonging to the Turkish Electricity Generation and Transmission Cooperation (TEAS) and its affiliated partnership produce 74.6% of total electricity. Turkey's average load factor is 31.6% while the net unit generation cost is 0.20 cent/kWh. The use of hydro, especially for power generation, is very essential to the continued economic growth of Turkey. Hydraulic electric potential has been estimated to be about 123 TWh for a year with normal hydrological conditions. This hydraulic potential has been concentrated in mainly 26 basins. 25% of total potential has been utilized via HPPs already in operation and construction is in the works for an additional 10% potential. In addition, hydroelectric energy potentials, which has not been utilized, have also been investigated in this study.