Turkey plans to extend and modernise the electricity power stations fuelled by lignite from fields near the town of Elbsitan, in Kahramanmaraş province in the south-east of the country. Its aim is to limit the amount of energy imports needed to support the country’s growth. The Afşin-Elbistan coalfields contain reserves of 4.4 billion tons, or 38% of Turkey’s total reserves. The power complex consists of 2 existing plants. Elbistan A, with 4 units and capacity of 1,335 MW, began operating in the 1980s. The 4-unit Elbistan B, built more recently, has a capacity of 1,440 MW. Both plants are owned by Elektrik Üretim (EÜAŞ), the state-controlled power agency. Talks are under way with a number of foreign partners to expand production with at least 2 new plants, with a capacity of 1,200 MW and 1,400 MW.
Negotiations began in 2013 and initially involved Abu Dhabi National Energy (Taqa), with Mitsui, Acwa Power (Saudi Arabia) and a number of Chinese companies subsequently joining the talks. During a recent visit the Turkish energy minister, Taner Yildiz, confirmed that the government intends to complete the project as part of a development initiative for the entire province involving investment of 3.6 billion dollars. The overall capacity of the coal-fired Elektrik Üretim power stations, of which the Afşin-Elbistan site is the most important, is 7,470 MW. Source: Il Sole 24 ore Radiocor.
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