Turkish electrical grid to gain competitive power with links to Europe

Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Yıldız said with the Energy Markets Business Corporation's (EPİAŞ), competition will increase due to the trading of electricity. Moreover, with Turkey's link to Europe, the competition will be at much higher levels according to the agreement, which will permanently link the Turkish electricity grid to Europe. He also said customers will benefit the most from this competition. Speaking to an Anadolu Agency reporter about the agreement, which was signed in Brussels on Wednesday, Yıldız said that with 1.2 million kilometers, Turkey has the second-longest electrical wiring system in Europe, and the fifth-longest in the world. He also stressed that the temporary synchronous link is becoming permanent with this agreement, and the synchronous operation of the electrical network will mean a healthier and safer electricity trade and exchange with Turkey's European neighbors. With this agreement, electricity trade will be possible through new connections along with the current connections with Greece and Bulgaria. Additionally, the trial period for the integration of Turkey's electricity network with Continental Europe's network ENTSO-E was successful. Currently, with this new connection, Turkey can export 400 megawatts of electricity and import 550 megawatts of electricity from the European network. These amounts are expected to increase in the future.

Yıldız underlined that with this new agreement, Turkey will become the strongest electricity market in the region, and Turkish citizens will have access to safer and more cost-friendly electricity. "Today, the center of the western market in electricity is Spain; Turkey will become the center of the eastern market. This agreement will improve Turkey's central position," Yıldız added.

The 10-year agreement was signed by the undersecretary of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Metin Kilci, the assistant general manager of the Turkish Electricity Transmission Company (TEİAŞ) and ENTSO-E Chairman, Pierre Bornard. Called the "Long Term Agreement," the newly-signed agreement will ensure that the Turkish network is permanently connected to the ENTSO-E Continental Europe Synchronous Area (CESA). Accordingly, Turkey's electrical network and electricity market will be integrated into the European market. Furthermore, TEİAŞ will become an observer member of ENTSO-E, and will have the opportunity to participate in ENTSO-E work groups. Additionally, Turkish electrical imports and exports will increase to 1,000 megawatts with this agreement. Currently, there are 41 electricity companies belonging to 34 member states in the ENTSO-E.