Zorlu Energy recently announced the launch of its combined renewable energy power plant, which will simultaneously produce geothermal and solar energy at the Alaşehir geothermal power plant in Manisa.
Zorlu Energy is committed to using 100% renewable energy for its electricity production
This initiative is in line with Zorlu Energy’s commitment to use 100% renewable energy sources to power its electricity generation in Turkey. While continuing to operate in a wide range of sectors, from geothermal to solar, wind, and electric vehicle charging stations.
In an effort to use renewable energy sources more effectively and efficiently, Zorlu Energy is converting the Alaşehir geothermal power plant into a hybrid power plant with the support of a 3.75 MWp peak solar power plant. The company combines geothermal energy as the main source and solar energy as an auxiliary source in the combined renewable energy power plant. The plant was built on an area of 6.2 hectares and has a total of 31,200 thin-film solar panels, each with an output of 115 Wp.
According to Ali Kındap, the general manager in charge of operations and maintenance at Zorlu Energy Investments, the combined power plant will contribute 4.5 million Turkish lira to the country’s economy. The plant was completed in December of last year and began operating in January, providing approximately 6 million kilowatt hours of energy per year.
The positive impact of the Alaşehir solar power plant on the environment
This energy will be generated by the solar power plant installed at the Alaşehir geothermal plant, which currently has a capacity of 45 MW. Kındap noted that the plant is capable of providing electricity to about 17,000 homes while avoiding the emission of 3,600 tons of carbon dioxide per year. This reduction is equivalent to the carbon dioxide absorbed by about 9,000 trees in one year, or the amount of carbon dioxide produced by 570 people.
Zorlu Energy plans to continue investing in hybrid power plants, which bring significant benefits to the industry. The company has already applied to the Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EMRA) for the capacity allocation of the combined renewable energy power plant for the Kızıldere 2 and 3 power plants. The company hopes its combined renewable energy power plant will serve as an example to the industry and encourage others to invest in similar projects.
Thus, Zorlu Energy’s innovative approach of combining renewable energy sources in its hybrid power plants is a positive step towards sustainable energy production.
