Having finished Turkey's first wind power plant in Cesme's Alacati District, Gucbirligi Holding Co. is waiting - and waiting - for the government's go-ahead to start another in Bandirma.
Company Chairman Tugrul Yemisci said the wind plant was meeting the district's energy needs and that more investments should be directed to alternative energy sources to meet Turkey's demand.
He said the company was awaiting bureaucratic approval before beginning construction on the new facility, and criticized the government for moving slowly on his proposed plants.
``We repeat the promises we made about wind power a year ago. We will establish a plant in Bandirma as well,'' Yemisci said. ``We are awaiting notification from the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry to begin construction.
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The 12 other plant projects _ whose feasibility studies have been completed - are still being kept on hold by the government, which has not notified us even though they have been approved."
The ministry has granted them until the middle of 2001 to complete the Bandirma project, but has prevented the company from starting by not officially notifying them of the government approval.
``This is most inefficient,'' Yemisci said. ``We may begin to produce electricity six or seven months after construction starts. Turkey has a considerable electricity shortage. The notice should be given as soon
as possible and then construction started."
Nine of the 12 other plants that had been approved by the ministry would have been running in early 2000 but their construction was postponed by bureaucratic delays, Yemisci said.``Four of the 12 wind power plants will be constructed by Gucbirligi Holding in Bodrum Yalikavak, Canakkale Lapseki, Izmir Karaburun and Bandirma.
Not only are our projects delayed but also those of other firms,'' he said. ``The prime minister says there could be an electric shortage so why don't they proceed urgently? The state will
not even spend a cent." –(Albawaba-MEBG)
© 2000 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
