D-8 Needs More Power Plants will be Discussed in next Working Group on Energy Meeting

Istanbul, Turkey | August 28, 2007 by D-8 Secretariat

As economic growth has been well developing and investment increasing in D-8 countries, adequate infrastructure provision is a must to follow the needs of economic progress. When the Secretary General visited Jakarta, Karachi, and Dhaka, electricity supply is one of the infrastructure problems there.

Recent case worth to mention is Turkey, with its high increase of investment and dynamic economy that requires more power supply. Recently the public sector has decided to step in the electricity market again due to the problem in security of electricity supply and the delay in the investments of the private sector. Two power plants worth $750 million are on the agenda of the Energy Ministry of Turkey.

Electricity Producers Association (EÜD) Chairman Önder Karaduman warned that, should the public sector re-enter the market, there may be a return to the Turkey Electricity Authority (TEK) days. By preparing a draft bill that foresees an amendment to the Electricity Market Law, the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources is paving the way for EÜAŞ to establish its production plants. Following the amendment, the Ministry will first establish two 1,000 MW natural gas plants to meet the electricity demands of İzmir and Antalya, which currently face the highest threat to the security of their electric supplies.

The discussion regarding the issue of public-private investment in power plants has been frequently raised and discussed by D-8 Working Group on Energy, such as in Jakarta last year. Similarly, this issue was also among the issues examined by the Secretary General D-8 and Egyptian Minister Petroleum and Minister Investment, along with the plan for Egypt to hold a Working Group or Business Forum on Energy, and Working Group on Investment very shortly to discuss the issue deeper among member states. As for the D-8 Working Group on Investment, Iran has already extended its readiness to be a hosting country, which will be held soon in Tehran.

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