4/27/2023 | DÜNYA
Full capacity electricity generation starts at the Karapınar Solar Power Plant (SPP) built in Konya. The SPP, equal in size to 2,800 football fields combined, will meet the annual electricity needs of more than 2 million people. In addition, more than 1.5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year will be prevented.
Karapınar Solar Power Plant (SPP) established in the Karapınar district of Konya began producing electricity at full capacity. Making a statement about the power plant, which is the size of 2,800 football fields, Ziya Altunyaldız, Chairman of the Industry, Commerce, Energy, Natural Resources, Information and Technology Commission of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye and AK Party's Konya MP, noted that the installation and assembly works at the facility were completed. Altunyaldız informed that the facility would be put into service the following day.
While underlining Türkiye’s intention to be one of the leading countries in managing renewable energy and that Konya was positioned as a generation hub, Altunyaldız said, “This solar power plant is 20 million square meters in size, boasting 3.3 million panels. A total of US$ 1 billion dollars was invested. It has an installed capacity of 1,350 megawatts. It is the largest in Europe by land area. In terms of volume, it produces 3 billion kilowatt-hours of energy. It will be able to meet the annual electricity needs of more than 2 million people.
It will meet almost the entirety of our beloved Konya's electricity needs. This is a historic power plant investment in terms of its structure, size, locally produced panels, and a groundbreaking move towards ensuring Türkiye's energy security. Karapınar SPP will prevent more than 1.5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year within the framework of our green development strategy. It is a green and safe investment.”
80 percent of 3,256,078 solar panels are manufactured locally.
Stating that the power plant was commissioned and approved by the Ministry, Kalyon Enerji Business Director Burak Doğru said, "This is the largest solar power plant in Europe and one of the largest solar power plants in the world."
Noting that the works for the opening of the facility were still underway, Burak Doğru said, "This plant has started cultivating the idle value-added this unused empty land had to offer. We are now putting the finishing touches. Nearly 1,000 people were employed during the project. Currently, it will contribute to employment in the district with 150 people. 3,256,078 solar panels were used in our power plant. All of these were produced at the Kalyon PV factory in Ankara with 80 percent locality and were brought here.
A we are commissioning it. We are extremely proud. This is an area of 20 million square meters, the size of approximately 2,800 football fields. The perimeter of the wire fence, which we are responsible for protecting, is approximately 33 kilometers. It really is a huge area."
