The Most Important Task Falls to Energy Experts

Minister Bayraktar met with energy experts at the “Energy, Vision, and a Portrait” themed discussion of EPIX (Energy, Sharing, Inspiration, and X), a platform for thought, sharing, and development established within the Energy Experts Association and operating under the umbrella of the Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EMRA). 

High Turnout

Approximately 700 young energy experts working in the energy sector, primarily from EPDK, participated in the program, which was also attended by EPDK President Mustafa Yılmaz. 

Uninterrupted Energy

Minister Bayraktar stated that they are working to provide 24/7 uninterrupted electricity and natural gas to Türkiye's 86 million people and fuel for 32 million vehicles. Pointing out that Türkiye needs to reduce its energy bill, produce value-added products, and become a carbon-neutral economy, Bayraktar explained that they have developed all policies with these goals in mind. 

The Turkish Path in Energy

Stating that they have developed a “Turkish Path” in energy, Bayraktar said, "This model includes renewable energy. We need to maximize the contribution of renewable energy sources to our economy. There is a Türkiye that uses its energy efficiently. We need to use our energy efficiently. There is a Türkiye that searches for, finds, and produces oil and natural gas. There is a Türkiye that does this both in Türkiye and abroad. We must be a Türkiye that has definitely incorporated nuclear energy. There is a Türkiye that adds value to its economy by incorporating its minerals; this is our vision." Bayraktar stated that Türkiye pursues a balanced, multi-layered, and multi-dimensional energy policy.

80,000 Barrels of Production from Gabar 

Bayraktar stated that they changed their strategy in 2016, emphasizing that with this change, Türkiye began exploring for oil and natural gas in its own waters with its own ships and engineers, and discovered oil in Gabar. Bayraktar said, “While Turkish Petroleum was producing 30-36 thousand barrels of oil per day in 2016, we are now producing 80 thousand barrels of oil per day from Gabar alone. In other words, we have increased production by 2.5 times.” 

Potential Beyond Gabar

Minister Bayraktar also mentioned that they are conducting studies on shale gas and shale oil, saying, "We now have a new project in Diyarbakır and Thrace, where we believe there is potential, in the field known in the market as ‘shale gas, shale oil,’ which has made America the world's number one oil and natural gas producer. We are putting it into practice. This is a new field, and I can say that we are very hopeful about it. It is a field with the potential to surpass Gabar."

A Central Country in Energy

Emphasizing Türkiye's goal of becoming a central country in energy, Bayraktar said, “Why shouldn't we be a central country? Our geography, energy infrastructure, legal infrastructure, regulatory infrastructure, and market are all suitable for this.” Expressing that they have an infrastructure capable of competing with gas, Bayraktar said, “This infrastructure automatically makes us a central country in energy. As we have done so far, we are also taking steps to become a reliable supplier beyond transit.” We have this infrastructure, we have this human resource. With our developed market, we aim to be a central country. I can say the same thing about electricity. In electricity, Türkiye is also a country that has increased interconnection with its neighbors and increased its own production capacity." he said. 

You Must See the Big Picture

Stating that energy experts are one of the most important stakeholders in the energy sector, Bayraktar said, “Because they have very important roles in many areas, from the strategy side of the business to the implementation of these strategies, from the design of the business to the implementation of projects and their supervision. They have the most important task on the path we are walking with the goal of ‘an independent Türkiye in energy.’” Bayraktar conveyed that energy experts are the ones who see the data and make policy recommendations based on global developments, delivering the following messages: “For me, one of the most valuable aspects is that they see the big picture. They need to understand where the world is headed. With such a highly competent team, we need to do better work and work harder.”