Super permit process in energy will accelerate investments

Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EPDK) Chairman Mustafa Yılmaz said that the "super permit" process, which envisages the rapid commissioning of energy investments, is important for the country's industry and citizens as well as for investors.

"Predictability is important"

Stating that investors have to obtain separate permissions from many places during the permitting process, Yılmaz said, "If all permissions are under the authority of a single institution, investors can breathe easy. Predictability is important. Investors value this. This is the right thing to do."

Yılmaz, explaining that long permit processes cause investors to lose time, money and labor, said, "There are various incentives in many countries. One of the biggest incentives is to make such permits easier and to have them in harmony in one place. In this way, integrity is ensured. The 'super permit' issue is very important in terms of preventing these. If our Ministry of Energy realizes this, it will be a revolutionary decision in terms of investment."

Responding to a question regarding the timetable for the "super permit", Yilmaz said, "The relevant legal regulations have been prepared. They will be submitted to the parliament. I think this process will then be completed quickly."

Not a raise, but covering the cost

Yılmaz also noted the following regarding the Last Resource Supply Tariff, which excludes subscribers whose monthly electricity consumption reaches 417 kilowatt-hours from the subsidy as of February 1:

"This regulation affects 3 percent of subscribers. Electric vehicles are becoming widespread and everything is becoming digital. For example, there may be three televisions and three refrigerators in a house. On the other hand, there are people who live on minimum wage, who we can call energy poor. The state subsidizes this segment. However, how right is it for the state to cover the electricity bill of someone who is financially well-off? This is not a price increase, but covering the cost. We say, 'If this much electricity is not your urgent and essential need and your economic strength is sufficient to meet it, do not take away the rights of the low-income. Buy electricity from the market and cover the cost yourself.' It is a very appropriate regulation and we defend it to the end."

Digital transformation with national and smart meters

Referring to the National Smart Meter Systems (MASS), Yilmaz said, “Technology is developing and as systems get smarter, they become more open to intervention. We also want to ensure the security of our systems. We want to use our own national systems. We want the software to be developed by our own people in Turkey and under the control of the distribution and production companies related to the Energy Market Regulatory Authority . Therefore, MASS will be groundbreaking.”

Drawing attention to the increasing electricity consumption caused by the digital age, Yilmaz said, "We need to be prepared for this. We have been working on MASS for a long time. We are nearing the end. Our applications will start very soon in certain regions."

Underlining the role of MASS in combating loss and leakage and in investments, Yilmaz said, "For example, where, when, how much energy was consumed? Why? We will be able to see these. This is also very important in terms of directing investments in the future. Because when you determine in which regions, at what hours and how much consumption is, you can direct investments accordingly."

Yilmaz noted that subscribers will be able to track their electricity consumption and costs with MASS, and said, "Great advantages will be gained. We do not only consider one aspect; every value that benefits the producer, the consumer and the system is very valuable to us."

Emphasizing that the system in question will not be limited to electricity meters, Yilmaz said that natural gas and water meters will also be included.

New steps in renewable energy

Yilmaz also spoke about the 63 thousand megawatt licensed and unlicensed renewable energy resources under construction as follows:

"All 63 thousand megawatts are renewable energy. If 6 thousand megawatts were put into operation per year, 60 thousand megawatts would be added in ten years. If 10 thousand megawatts were put into operation, this period would be reduced to 6 years. This is a huge figure. This is not only important in terms of energy. The economy is such a cog that it affects each other. As long as investment in energy continues, everyone from workers to grocers will benefit from it."

Reminding that a significant portion of the 63 thousand megawatts in question are unlicensed producers, Yılmaz stated that they act with the understanding of "produce what you consume, consume what you produce."

Yilmaz pointed out that new regulations have been made in this context and that they are working on a model where people will voluntarily produce energy at certain hours and give it to the system, and in return, they will earn income.

Underlining that comprehensive regulations for the efficient use of energy will continue, Yılmaz said, "We are conducting detailed impact analyses for these regulations and focusing on producing the most beneficial solutions for the sector, consumers, investors and industrialists."