Kocaer Enerji A.S. has initiated the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process for its "Kocaer 1 Geothermal Power Plant and Resource Exploration Project." The project, which will have an installed capacity of 24 MWm/24 MWe, is located within the Buharkent and Kuyucak districts in Aydin province, Türkiye. This follows a feasibility study conducted by the company at the site, announced in 2023.

The district of Kuyucak in Aydin, Turkiye

The EIA Application File has been reviewed and deemed appropriate by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change. It has been uploaded to the e-EIA system for further processing. The geothermal power plant is projected to generate 192 GWh of electricity annually, which would meet the energy needs of approximately 57,000 people.

A total of 32 wells will be drilled in the license area, including 9 production wells, 6 reinjection wells, 1 alternative production well, and 16 exploration wells. Additionally, 2 temporary test pools will be constructed. The plant will use binary cycle technology and will consume up to 2,300 tons of geothermal fluid per hour. The total investment for the project is estimated at 3.18 billion TL (around 83.8 million USD), with financing structured as 80% loan and 20% equity.

The construction and drilling phases are expected to take about two years, with the plant set to operate for a period of 49 years. During the construction and drilling phases, approximately 90 jobs will be created, with priority given to local employment. The plant will be located near the neighborhoods of Kurtulu?, Horsunlu, Gencelli, and Ortakç?. Given that the license area includes agricultural lands, forested areas, and some tourism zones, the project will obtain the necessary permits in line with the Olive Cultivation, Soil Conservation, and Pasture Laws.

The EIA report, which will detail the environmental impacts, site selection, and mitigation measures, is expected to be made available to the public. This step is essential to ensure transparency and address any community concerns before moving forward with the project.

Kocaer Celik, the parent company of Kocaer Enerji, is well-established in the steel section of the iron and steel industry. The company exports to 140 countries across six continents, with 84% of its production being exported. Kocaer Celik also operates Kocaer Steel UK, a subsidiary established in 2015, which handles sales, marketing, and distribution in the UK.