In a significant move towards bolstering its renewable energy capabilities, Turkey has embarked on a joint venture with China to establish a wind farm alongside a 1 GWh energy storage facility in the country’s western region. The venture, valued at over $600 million, involves Kontrolmatik’s subsidiary, Progresiva Enerji Yatirimlari Ticaret, and Harbin Electric International (HEI), a subsidiary of China’s Harbin Electric Co Ltd. The agreement was formalized in Ankara, marking a pivotal step in Turkey’s renewable energy aspirations.
The project’s financial blueprint outlines an investment of approximately $350 million to $375 million for the energy storage facility and an additional $250 million for the construction of a 250-megawatt wind farm. Turkey’s Vice President, Cevdet Yılmaz, announced at the ceremony that $375 million has been secured for the project’s initial phase, with a substantial portion of the funding, around $300 million, being contributed by China through HEI.
Set to be Turkey’s first Gigawatt-Hour scale renewable energy storage facility, the project will be situated in Tekirdag, along the Sea of Marmara’s northern coast, and is slated for completion in two phases. The wind farm is expected to be operational by 2027. HEI will lead the project’s engineering, construction, and procurement aspects, while Kontrolmatik will oversee the electrical installations, engaging its subsidiary Pomega for battery procurement.
This venture is touted to significantly advance Turkey’s national capabilities in battery technology and establish the country as a leader in energy storage within Europe. Turkey is already recognized for its renewable energy capacity, leading in geothermal and ranking highly in hydroelectric, wind, and solar power within Europe.
