| Abstract |
First geothermal exploration & investigations in Türkiye started by MTA (General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration of Türkiye) in 1962. Upon this, 227 geothermal fields have been discovered by MTA. The geothermal potential of Türkiye is estimated (theoretically) as 31.500 Mwt. After the year 2008, 55 new geothermal areas have been explored and the number of the geothermal areas raised from 172 to 227 and 9 of them are suitable for power production; [Aydýn-Sultanhisar (146 °C), Aydýn-Bozköy-Çamur (146 °C), Aydýn-Atça (124°C), Aydýn-Umurlu (150°C), Aydýn-Nazilli-Bozyurt (127°C), Aydýn Pamukören (188 °C) Kütahya -Þaphane (181°C), Manisa-Alaþehir-Kavaklýdere (287 °C), Aydýn-Buharkent (147 °C)] , and the others which are suitable in heating and thermal Tourism. The number of exploration wells were drilled by MTA are now 578 and the total depth is 332,000 m. The total proven geothermal capacity of the wells conducted by MTA is 5000 MWt and together with the private sectors drillings, approximately 8000 Mwt proven capacity has been reached. Sixteen geothermal fields which are located in the western of Türkiye and discovered by MTA are suitable for geothermal power production and need to be developed. The main uses of geothermal energy in Türkiye cover a wide range of applications, such as space heating and domestic hot water supply, greenhouse heating, swimming and balneology, industrial processes and electricity generation. Based upon the current status, the majority of geothermal applications in Turkey have been realized in district heating systems. In 2013-2014 period geothermal researches and explorations increasingly completed, the installed electricity capacity reached to 317,4 MWe. No. 5686 "Law on Geothermal Resources and Mineral Waters” enacted in 2006 and by this law, geothermal fields, discovered by the MTA begin to be transferred to the investors through the tender process. Since 2008, the geothermal fields within the framework of this law have been started to tender by the MTA and from that time, 91 geothermal fields (16 of them are suitable power generation) had tendered to private sector. In addition to research and exploration activities, MTA provide scientific and technical support to the geothermal appliers, in order to protect the existing renewability property of geothermal areas and ensure sustainable production of them to increase geothermal potential by investigating the deep extensions of currently known geothermal systems. |