Türkiye has selected the reservoir area of Demirkopru Dam as the candidate site for its first Renewable Energy Resource Area (YEKA) floating solar power plant project, Turkish Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources announced on Friday.
The floating solar power plant will be integrated with the existing hydroelectric power infrastructure in the Demirkopru Dam reservoir, marking a significant step in country's renewable energy efforts.
The power plant was built on the Gediz River at a distance of 100 kilometers from Manisa province and 27 kilometers from Salihli district.
The ministry said detailed studies have commenced for the project under the YEKA regulatory framework.
Hakan Erkan, general secretary of the Solar Energy Industrialists and Industry Association (GENSED), told Anadolu that solar panels installed on water surfaces allow more efficient use of water bodies.
These systems improve feasibility for hydroelectric plants operating below capacity due to low water levels and enhance the efficiency of transmission lines, Erkan stated.
Additionally, he added that by reducing evaporation on the water surface, they contribute to water conservation and help regulate water temperature, which aids in ecosystem protection.
"This approach is crucial for sustainable energy production and natural resource preservation," he concluded.
By Gulsen Cagatay
Anadolu Agency