As energy shortages loom with winter's approach, a leading private sector organization has appealed to the government not to obstruct energy investments by Turkish industrialists.
The State Planning Organization, claiming that Turkey has excess energy and not a shortage, has been rejecting all energy investment programs for the past six months.
Aegean Region Chamber of Industrialists (EBSO) Chairman Atil Akkan said that "if the private sector had had the chance to make investments in the energy sector, Turkey wouldn't have an energy shortage today."
"The government should stop standing in the way of the private sector and let them make investments in the energy sector," he added at a news conference. Akkan said industrialists warned the government and the Energy Ministry about a possible energy shortage three years ago.
He said the Aegean region's energy problem could be solved, but that the government was ignoring the region. Electricity consumption in Turkey is increasing, he and others agree.
"Turkey spends more on electricity than Bulgaria," he said. "The construction of the Kocaeli and Gebze electric power stations has begun, so why has the government neglected the project for two natural gas power plants in Izmir's Aliaga district? If these two plants in Aliaga had been completed, the Aegean region wouldn't have any energy problems."
He pointed out that in the near future there would be an investment boast in the Aegean region because it has 30 Organized Industrial Regions. He also said that as part of this industrialization,energy consumption would increase.
"In the Aegean region, energy use is greater than that of Turkey's average," he said. "In April and May in the Aliaga Organized Industry Region, 50-60 new projects will begin. The investments mean energy, but there isn't enough energy in Turkey. Because of that, industrialists and the private sector are shying away from investments in the Aegean region." – (Albawaba-MEBG)
© 2000 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
