Posters

Abstract

Worldwide, renewable energy sources are on the rise, and wind energy, both onshore and offshore, has gained considerable momentum. In particular, offshore wind energy has seen widespread adoption in Europe. Türkiye has installed about 13 GW of onshore wind capacity by 2024 [1]. Although no offshore wind projects are currently operational in the country, its offshore wind potential is estimated at around 75 GW [2]. Reflecting increased investor interest, the government has set an ambitious goal of achieving 5 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2035 [3]. In August 2023, the Turkish Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources identified four potential offshore wind development areas: Bandırma, Gelibolu, Karabiga, and a zone near Bozcaada in the Sea of Marmara and the Aegean Sea. These sites fall under the Renewable Energy Resources Area (YEKA) program, which promotes large-scale renewable energy projects via competitive auctions (Balkan Green Energy News-Offshore Wind). As part of this initiative, USENS established a comprehensive database of offshore wind farms in Türkiye, focusing on both existing YEKA areas and other high-potential zones. The study initially pinpointed coastal regions in Türkiye where wind speeds exceed 6.5 m/s, based on Global Wind Atlas (GWA) data [4]. Next, bathymetry data [5] were used to identify sites with water depths under 60 m. The analysis also ensured that wind farm areas remained within Türkiye’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and respected the 6-mile territorial boundary of neighbouring countries. In total, 20 sites including three YEKA zones were investigated. Detailed constraint analyses were carried out to determine optimal locations for fixed-bottom offshore wind projects. Each site was scored according to specific constraints, and feedback from the relevant authorities prompted further refinements. Micro-siting studies and preliminary energy production estimates were also undertaken. To reduce uncertainty in the predicted energy yield for near-shore wind farm areas, data from 20 coastal meteorological masts in Türkiye situated near these prospective zones were compared against GWA-derived estimates. The observed deviations were then used to calibrate GWA data within the boundaries of nearshore wind farm locations. The final step of the assessment involved conducting levelized cost of energy (LCOE) calculations to evaluate investment feasibility. Overall, this work provides a comprehensive overview of the findings, offering valuable guidance for future offshore wind development in Türkiye and supporting decision-makers in selecting suitable sites for wind, met ocean measurements, and geotechnical studies. References [1] Türkiye Wind Energy Association Statistics report, January 2024. [2] World Bank, Technical Potential for Offshore Wind in Türkiye Map, May 2020. [3] T.R. Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Stakeholder Interaction Plan, February 2023. [4] https://globalwindatlas.info/en/ [5] https://www.gebco.net