Contributing to a sustainable future, Akfen Renewable Energy aims to increase its portfolio of domestic and natural resource production to 1200 MW by 2025

Akfen Holding, aiming to contribute to a more sustainable future and natural life with its implemented projects, has initiated a significant project to contribute to Turkey’s green heritage. With the participation of all companies under Akfen’s umbrella, the first seedlings of the “Akfen 100th Year Memorial Forest,” consisting of 100 thousand trees, were planted in Çanakkale in memory of the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey.

During the tree planting ceremony held for the “Akfen 100th Year Memorial Forest,” Mustafa Kemal Güngör, the General Manager of Akfen Renewable Energy, stated that the company aims to increase its power capacity from 700 MW, solely produced from domestic and renewable sources such as solar, water, and wind, to approximately 1200 MW by the end of 2025.

The “Akfen 100th Year Memorial Forest” comprises a forest where a total of 100 thousand Scots pine and Turkish pine trees will be planted in the Merkez Yukarıokçular and Çanakalan regions of Çanakkale. The support of Akfen Holding’s subsidiaries, including Akfen Construction, Akfen Renewable Energy, Akfen REIT, Akfen Environment and Water, Akfen Hospital Services, and Akfen Tourism, contributed to the establishment of the forest. The project aims to increase the forest land area in the region by approximately 1 million square meters. It is estimated that the forest, once established, will produce enough oxygen annually to sustain 5 thousand people (3 thousand tons) and reduce landslides by 350 times.

With the commemorative forest project, Akfen aims to preserve the vital balance of nature, create new habitats for wildlife, and contribute to the presence of wildlife. Additionally, it will take significant steps to transfer endemic plant species to new vegetations in the region.

Among the World’s Top 30 Most Sustainable Companies

During the tree planting ceremony for the “Akfen 100th Year Memorial Forest,” Mustafa Kemal Güngör, the General Manager of Akfen Renewable Energy, shared the company’s future goals. Güngör emphasized that the transition from conventional fuels to renewable energy sources has rapidly accelerated worldwide, and Akfen has been proud to invest in this area since 2005. Güngör explained that over the years, the company has reached a total installed capacity of 700 MW with 12 HPPs, 35 GPPs, and 6 WPPs. He stated, “There is a rapid transition from conventional fuels to renewable energy sources worldwide. Estimates indicate that renewable energy sources will become the number one energy source in the world by 2040. Akfen has been a pioneer in this field in Turkey for many years. With the support of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), two significant foreign company partners, we have achieved a total installed capacity of 700 MW with our modern energy plants, diversified in terms of resources, which we have put into operation, mostly in the last 8 years, in regions with the best natural resources of our country. We will continue our leadership in this field with the investments we will realize in the future.”

Mustafa Kemal Güngör also noted that Akfen Renewable Energy’s activities have been recognized internationally, mentioning that the company has been listed among the top 30 companies globally in terms of environmental and social governance and sustainability by Moody’s Vigeo Eiris environmental and social governance and sustainability report, which the company has been requested by Moody’s among the companies it prepares.

“3 New Solar Projects Started, Targeting 1200 MW in 2 Years”

Mustafa Kemal Güngör highlighted that they have embarked on a new investment spree following the successful public offering period in 2023. He mentioned that they have started the construction of 3 new solar power plants (SPPs). According to Güngör, these three hybrid solar power plants (HPPs), with a total installed capacity of 66 MW, will be located in Osmaniye and Çanakkale. Among these, the Demirciler Hybrid SPP project in Osmaniye, which will be realized within the areas of the 57 MW Sarıtepe and 23 MW Demirciler wind energy projects (WEPs), will have a capacity of 13.27 MW, while the Sarıtepe Hybrid SPP project will have a capacity of 12.98 MW. The third hybrid SPP project, whose construction has begun, will be realized in the Üçpınar WEP area in Çanakkale, with a capacity of

112.2 MW, under the name of Üçpınar Hybrid SPP. The installed capacity of the hybrid project to be established will be 40 MW. The projects, for which turnkey engineering, procurement, and construction contracts have been signed, will start generating energy in 2024 after completion.

Mustafa Kemal Güngör stated, “In line with our growth strategy, we will realize new investments at a level of 285 MW, including 2 energy storage HPPs with a total installed capacity of 80 MW and 4 energy storage WPPs with a total installed capacity of 205 MW. With these new investments, we aim to increase our total installed capacity to 1200 MW by the end of 2025.”

Bringing in $11.8 Million in Foreign Exchange with Carbon Credit Sales to Turkey

While continuing its efforts for sustainable energy production and reducing environmental impacts, Akfen Renewable Energy continues to positively contribute to the Turkish economy through the sale of carbon emission reduction credits. Mustafa Kemal Güngör stated that, in line with the company’s goals of environmental sustainability and contribution to the economy, they have conducted carbon credit sales with EOS Climate&Energy, based in the UK. He said, “Looking forward, we continue to follow new investment opportunities and maintain our strong strategy. With each new project, we strengthen our leadership in renewable energy and continue our efforts for a brighter and more sustainable future. The economic value we have created for Turkey through the sale of carbon credits obtained from our various plants in our portfolio focused on renewable resources amounted to $11.8 million. We anticipate further development in this area.”

Sustainability Activities Continue from a Social Perspective on Four Fronts

Believing that sustainable prosperity is possible not only economically but also through investments in individuals and society, Akfen Renewable Energy carries out its corporate social responsibility activities through the Turkey Human Resources Education and Health Foundation (TİKAV), founded by Akfen Holding. In this context, the company continues its projects aimed at educating women in rural areas where energy plants are located, in cooperation with TİKAV since 2017.

In 4 different projects carried out in 18 provinces and 27 different rural areas of Turkey, face-to-face training has been provided to 6,800 women on various topics so far. The number of people reached indirectly through these projects has exceeded 20 thousand.

In 2017, the “We Became Schooled at Home” project reached 800 women in 15 regions on the development of children aged 0-6. In the health-themed.

Here is the translated list of Akfen Renewable Energy Portfolio: