The potential, utilization and development of geothermal energy in Türkiye

Abstract

Geothermal energy is a natural resource that can be utilized directly or by converting to other types of energy. Considering the diversity of the geological structure of Türkiye, the geothermal systems have developed depending on young tectonic and volcanic active rock. Western and Central Anatolia are especially rich in geothermal resources. The geothermal well with the hottest well-bottom temperature was drilled in Central Anatolia, and the well-bottom temperature was measured as 341°C at a depth of 3845 meters. In 2022, Türkiye’s electricity generation capacity and the total installed direct heat use reached 1663 MWe and 5113 MWt, respectively. Considering Anatolia’s Curie depth and heat flux, the probable thickness of the batholith can be regarded as 10 km. For example, the total granitoid area of Western Anatolia is 4221 km2 and at least 2% of this granitoid can provide approximately 8x107 MWh of electricity by Enhanced Deep Geothermal Systems (EDGS). When all granites in Türkiye are considered, it is expected that the future capacity of Türkiye will be much higher with drilling research and development studies and the discovery of new fields. This capacity will exceed 100.000 MWt levels in the medium term, especially with the addition of EDGSs.