''55 per cent of energy production is from renewable energy sources. ''

 

The Energy Cities Union (EKB) May 2023 Ordinary Assembly Meeting, of which 150 municipalities in TürkiyeTürkiye are members, was held in Edremit, Balıkesir. Energy Cities Union President and Denizli Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Osman Zolan, Afyonkarahisar Mayor Mehmet Zeybek, Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Mayor Mehmet Birol Şahin, union member mayors, council members and guests attended the meeting. Mayor Zolan, who made the opening speech at the meeting hosted by Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality, thanked the union presidents and council members who have worked so far for the union, which was founded in 1997 as the Union of Geothermal Source Municipalities and renamed the Energy Cities Union in 2019. Explaining that the name change was made because of the diversification of renewable energy sources besides the geothermal resource potential in 71 provinces in Türkiye, Mayor Zolan drew attention to the importance of energy.

 

55% of energy comes from renewable energy sources

 

Pointing out that energy is the source of life, Mayor Zolan emphasized that there are all kinds of struggles over energy in the world and said, ''For a country to be fully independent, it must provide its own energy. ''Stating that Türkiye has renewable and environmentally friendly energy sources such as wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass, Mayor Zolan said that 55% of the energy production is produced from renewable energy sources found in the last ten years. Noting that Türkiye can produce 67 per cent of its own energy with renewable energy sources, natural gas and other imported sources, Mayor Zolan said, ''We need to continue our efforts to achieve energy independence. ''

 

He drew attention to Türkiye's energy resources.

 

Stating that the natural gas discovered in the Black Sea is very valuable, Mayor Zolan said, ''We will now use the foreign currency we have given for the natural gas we import in our country. We also want to find it in new sources. The oil resources in Gabar are also very valuable. If we can use its resources, our future will be safer. '' After the opening speech, it was discussed the Energy Cities Association 2022 Activity Report, and took place the elections for the committee, plan budget commission and final account commission.