Soma Wind Power, Turkey
Delivering essential renewable energy capacity in a country with rapidly growing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
Project Type: Sustainable infrastructure, Renewable energy
Standards: Gold Standard
Spanning across Manisia and Balikesir Provinces in the western Anatolia region of Turkey, this wind power project consists of 119 turbines with a total capacity of 140 MW, supplying zero emissions renewable electricity to the national grid. Despite its abundant renewable energy potential, Turkey depends heavily on imported fossil fuels, and GHG emissions are growing rapidly in part due to significant population growth and urbanisation. This project is supporting an essential switch to renewable energy to meet the country’s rapidly increasing energy demand, generating approximately 465,000 MWh of clean electricity each year.
If we invest in the technology, wind could provide 19% of the global demand for electricity by 2030.
Sustainable Development Goals
In addition to delivering emissions reductions to help take urgent action to combat climate change (SDG 13), the project delivers a number of other sustainable development benefits including:
- Affordable and Clean Energy: The production of renewable electricity displaces the fossil fuel sources that are the main energy sources of the current Turkish national grid.
- Decent Work and Economic Growth: The project has created 24 full-time operational and maintenance roles, with all employees hired from within the project region.
- Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: The project has made financial donations to improve road conditions in the area, and to a local school to provide equipment, repair buildings, and supply books and uniforms.