Türkyılmaz noted that according to 2007 figures, domestic resources were supplying only 25.5 percent of the country’s overall energy demand and added that the energy policies pursued so far should be changed in order to increase the share of domestic energy production. Otherwise, he said, Turkey’s dependence on foreign countries for energy would continue to grow to a great extent.
Even though Turkey is a relatively large and populous country, energy consumption per capita is well below that in the European Union countries, Türkyılmaz stated, explaining that the role of energy becomes more important in one’s life in line with technological developments. Turkey should also consider shifting from using conventional energy resources to alternative resources in order to increase the variety of its secure sources of energy, he remarked.
Türkyılmaz said that electricity consumption in Turkey has increased by 43 percent over the last five years, noting that this is one of the sharpest increases seen in the world. The amount of money Turkey pays for its energy imports accounts for 24 percent of the country’s overall imports, or $48.2 billion, he said.
Turkey should also add nuclear energy to its long-term energy planning, Türkyılmaz said, adding that a strategy should be established regarding this energy resource. Priority should be placed on domestic and renewable energy resources, he added.
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