In a ceremony in Istanbul today, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and partners have awarded the best energy efficiency and renewable energy projects financed in Turkey through the Mid-size Sustainable Energy Financing Facility (MidSEFF).
The EBRD-led program, supported by the European Union (EU) and the European Investment Bank, provides funds to Turkish banks in the form of loans and capital market instruments for on-lending to private sector companies to invest in more efficient use of energy. In response to high demand the EBRD is expanding the program with an additional €500 million.
The awards ceremony recognized 11 companies for promoting energy efficiency and energy generation from renewable sources. Among the winners were Pamukören and Gümüşköy geothermal power plants:
- The Award for the Largest Geothermal Power Plant was taken by the 45 MW Pamukören geothermal power plant whose effective stakeholder engagement stood out. It was financed with a €37.4 million loan from Vakifbank.
- The Best Outreach Project Award was taken by the 13.3 MW Gümüşköy geothermal power plant for capturing its CO2 emissions, using them in local greenhouses and selling them to industrial gas consumers. The plant was financed with a €15.9 million loan from Yapikredi.