1st Istanbul International Geography Congress Proceedings Book
Turkey’s energy problem and preferences
İsmet AkovaAs one of the cornerstones providing sustenance to humanity in its material pursuits, energy has not only maintained its importance in every period of history but also increased it. To have energy resources that increase in importance with each passing day or to have a say upon these resources, countries are, either covertly or overtly, locked in a struggle with each other in the international arena. In the closing years of the second decade of the 21st century, the amount of energy consumed by countries is considered to be one of the indicators of their development or development levels. Turkey’s dependence on imported energy supply is increasing every year because the country is facing challenges in meeting the increasing energy demand using domestic resources owing to rapid development. It is important from which countries and in what amounts to buy the imported energy resources such as natural gas, coal and oil. Similarly, the level of utilization of solar, wind, geothermal, biomass or nuclear energy sources is also important. Turkey needs to establish national policies that advance its potential in alternative energies and emphasize its strategic geopolitical importance. Well-considered policies that call into use the economies and strategic global leverage resulting from the renewable energy sources that Turkey possesses due to its geographic location between the earth’s major energy production areas and major energy consumption areas hold the promise of not only bolstering energy security but also enabling the fulfillment of its aspirations of becoming a major force in the region.
