Türkiye can bypass grid constraints with hybrid solar power plants

Türkiye’s energy transition journey has slowed down due to grid-related capacity constraints. This obstacle to new projects can be bypassed with hybrid solar power plants that can be commissioned without adding additional load to the grid. They have already proven their contribution to generation and to the efficiency of the primary source’s connection capacity. Since hybrid solar power plants do not require new grid investment, they can be approved without waiting for capacity opening; with simple regulatory changes, such as the obligation to integrate into the plant site of the primary source and the removal of the capacity limit rule, Türkiye could quickly unlock its significant hybrid solar potential.

Çağlar Çeliköz
‍Energy Analyst, Ember

Although the production capacities of hydroelectric power plants (HEPPs) have started to decrease in recent years due to drought caused by climate change, these plants still constitute the backbone of our energy supply. We believe that the elimination of the capacity allocation problem in most of the applications for hybrid solar power plants, which are almost the only solution to drought in HEPP projects, is a necessity to protect the generation capacity of HEPPs and system supply security. Today, the authorisation processes of hybrid investments can continue for months and even years. However, we believe that the urgent approval of hybrid investments to be made in areas already allocated for energy production is crucial for energy efficiency and system supply security. We believe that solving the hybrid solar power plant capacity allocation and permit process problems and removing investment restrictions are a necessity for the realisation of our sustainable development.

Elvan Tuğsuz Güven
‍Chairman of the Board, HESİAD