Istanbul/Hannover. The opportunities for investment and new business provided by Turkey in the fields of environmental technology, power and energy efficiency will be highlighted at RENEX 2009 from 5 to 8 November 2009 at the Expo Center Istanbul. The keynote themes are as follows: solar systems, wind power systems, wind and geothermal energy, water supply and treatment, recycling and environmental technology, as well as water heating systems and bio-fuels. RENEX will present recycling concepts and sustainable solutions, with the emphasis on energy efficiency and environmental technology. This new trade show is being organized by Deutsche Messe Hannover and Hannover-Messe Sodeks Fuarcilik A.S, Istanbul.

Statistics show that on average Turkey enjoys more than seven hours of sunlight per day. This amounts to 2,640 hours of sunshine a year. Turkish territory covers an area in excess of 800,000 km², and has an 8,000 km long coastline with the Black Sea on one side, and the Mediterranean on the other. Furthermore, the country has some 170 geothermal areas and 1,000 thermal springs, which makes Turkey the fifth biggest contender worldwide with respect to geothermal energy. Clearly, these are optimal conditions for an emerging industrial nation such as Turkey to meet its steadily growing energy needs with renewables. Electricity consumption in Turkey is at present 2,500 kWh per head of population, approx. one quarter of German consumption levels, but experts believe that this will increase by at least eight percent per annum until 2016.

Forecasts suggest that as early as 2009 there will be a shortfall in electricity supplies as existing generation plant and power stations are already working at stretched capacity to meet demand. A solution must be found, and in view of the conditions that Turkey offers, the opportunities for developing renewable energy are enormous.

New investment in energy production

Over the course of the four-day trade show, Turkish companies in environmental technology and the renewable energy sector will be joined by providers from neighbouring states, as well as German companies. RENEX 2009 represents an excellent opportunity for them to present energy-related products and services to a Turkish market that remains healthy, despite a weakening world economy. Although the Turkish market has slowed down, economists still expect growth in excess of five percent in the coming years. Due to the expansion of manufacturing capacity and continued growth in household energy consumption, the country must invest in new power generation plant. At the same time, Turkey remains highly dependent on oil and gas imports, and is thus keen to develop alternative sources of energy.

Germany offers expertise in resources management and recycling

German companies, in particular, are at the forefront in solar technology and the wind energy sector, and have considerable expertise to offer in recycling and resources management. "Turkey possesses almost perfect natural conditions for wind energy production", explains Lothar Schulze, managing director of the Hannover-based Windwärts Energie GmbH, which has operated several wind energy projects in Turkey since 2007. He continues:  "The political commitment to developing wind energy has long been put to paper, efforts have been made to ensure good financial returns on business projects and plans to commission wind parks producing more than 78,000 megawatt have been agreed. There are many signs indicating good market activity." The German Agency for Foreign Trade argues that the proportion of wind energy generated in Turkey is still too low, however it points out that many new projects have already been launched.

Almost one in four households equipped with solar collectors

Solar energy presents a similar picture. Until recently, the use of solar energy was largely confined to private households and hotel complexes on the coast (primarily for heating water). According to EIEI - the Turkish research centre for the electricity sector - approx. 20 to 25 percent of households are equipped with solar collectors. Numerous pilot projects employing photovoltaic technology are already in place - including photovoltaic systems for street lighting, water pumps and weather stations. Private companies also use this form of energy generation - for example, for lighthouses, yachts and traffic lights.

Turkey is also showing considerable interest in waste management and recycling, and is opening its doors to German and other providers. The prospects are interesting. Among the 3,225 municipal authorities, some 3,000 have no waste water treatment plant. There are plans to introduce modern waste management systems in 350 municipalities. Most domestic waste in Turkey is not separated at the point of collection, but waste recycling is already being practised. In 2005 legislation was introduced making industry responsible for the recycling of waste packaging. The aim is to recycle 60 percent of packaging by 2014.

Know-how transfer project for SME's

The German company Exitcom from Hannover, specialists in the recycling of electrical and electronic equipment waste, established Turkey's first recycling business back in 2003. This enterprise has succeeded in recycling and reusing up to 95 percent of cathode tube televisions. Another company, German environmental service company Remondis, with international operations in south-eastern Europe and beyond, is a partner to a joint-venture project which operates seven waste water treatment plants for local authorities across the country, as well as a municipal water supply plant. The German Ministry for Economic Cooperation actively supports the construction of water treatment and sewage works, as well as the environment-friendly disposal of industrial and communal domestic waste within the respective municipalities of Eastern Turkey. The German government is also encouraging technological partnerships between German and Turkish companies - for example, through its support of a consultancy project for small and medium-sized manufacturing companies in Eastern Anatolia.