Fuel Wood as a Source of Energy in Turkey

Abstract

Biomass is the major source of energy in rural Turkey. Among the biomass energy sources, fuelwood seems to be the most interesting because its share of the total energy production of Turkey is high at 21%. The total biomass energy potential of Turkey is about 32 Mtoe. The amount of usable biomass potential of Turkey is approximately 17 Mtoe. The electrical production from usable biomass has a net impact of 4.4 billion USD in personal and corporate income and represents more than 160,000 jobs. The objective of the energy forestry policy in Turkey is to create circumstances that support both economic and employment policies, using economic and market mechanisms. These circumstances should ensure availability of energy, keep the price of energy competitive, and enable Turkey to meet international commitments with respect to emissions to the environment. From 1978 to 2006, energy forest activities with coppice regeneration were undertaken on 623,247 hectares. A further objective is to expetide development and commercialization of energy-saving technologies and those based on use of wood as a renewable energy source. A specific goal is to increase use of wood for energy generation so as to make it an important fuel at district heating plants and at combined heat and power generation plants in locations where natural coppice forests are available.