Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 September 1999

By Liz Battocletti,

Bob Lawrence & Associates, Inc.
By Liz Battocletti,

Bob Lawrence & Associates, Inc.

Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 September 1999

Prepared for Idaho National Engineering

 & Environmental Laboratory

Under Purchase Order No. F99-181039

And the U.S. Department of Energy,

Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency

 & Renewable Energy,

Office of Geothermal & Wind Technologies

Under DOE Idaho Operations Office

Contract DE-AC07-99ID13727
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 September 1999

This information was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the U.S. Government. Neither the U.S.

Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any

legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or

process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific

commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily

constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the U.S. Government or any agency thereof. The

views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the U.S. Government or any

agency thereof.

Disclaimer
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 September 1999

INTRODUCTION ........................ 1

POWER PROFILE ....................... 3

POWER SUMMARY ..................... 3

GOVERNMENT / LEGISLATION .......... 6

GEOTHERMAL POTENTIAL 

IN TURKEY (TABLE) ................... 13

MAP OF TURKEY ...................... 17

GEOTHERMAL SITES / PROJECTS ....... 18

CONCLUSION ......................... 59

BIBLIOGRAPHY ....................... 60

Table of Contents
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 1

The Database of Geothermal Resources in Turkey

includes information on 63 specific geothermal sites,

representing at least 363* MWe in power potential and

840* MWt in direct use potential. The actual figures are

much higher as specific data on potential is not available

for all sites. 

The Database includes:

• Power Profile - basic information on Turkey, e.g.,

population, installed capacity, power generation

breakdown, electricity prices, etc.;

• Power Summary - brief description of Turkey’s

power sector and privatization; 

• Government / Legislation - relevant Turkish

government agencies and laws; and 

• Geothermal Sites / Projects - includes a Site

Summary for each:

1. Name

2. Location

3. Status

4. Temperature

5. Installed Capacity (MWe/MWt)

6. Potential (MWe/MWt)

7. Chronology

8. Notes

Dynamic Database

The Database was designed to be dynamic. Created

using Microsoft® Access 97, it can be easily updated or

modified to include specific data which the industry

would find most useful. In addition, the Database can be

made more comprehensive by adding pertinent data, e.g.,

local population and market data, location of

transmission lines and roads, etc., using the Geographic

Information System (GIS)1 of the U.S. Geological Survey, 

to the present structure. Finally, the Database could be

adapted for posting on the World Wide Web and

searched using a variety of variables such as country,

1

In the strictest sense, a GIS is a computer system

capable of assembling, storing, manipulating, and

displaying geographically referenced information

, i.e. data identified according to their

locations. See

http://info.er.usgs.gov/research/gis/title.html.

Introduction
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 2

desired temperature of resource, estimated power

potential, and other parameters. 

For immediate dissemination to the industry, the

Database has been converted to a PDF file.2

The Database of Geothermal Resources in Turkey was

compiled and built by a team led by Liz Battocletti of

Bob Lawrence & Associates, Inc. for Idaho National

Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL)

under Purchase Order Number F99-181039, “Collection

and Assembly of Published Data on Geothermal

Potential.”

Special appreciation goes to Joel Renner of INEEL and

Dr. Marshall Reed of the U.S. Department of Energy

Office of Geothermal and Wind Technologies for their

support. The author also wishes to thank Serdar

Cetinkaya of the Foreign Commercial Service of the U.S.

Embassy in Ankara; Gülden Gökçen Günerhan of Ege

University-Solar Energy Institute in Bornova-Izmir,

Turkey; and Dr. Orhan Merto•lu of Orme Geothermal for

reviewing the document and giving their comments. 

The cover illustration is courtesy of the General

Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration of

Turkey. 

Liz Battocletti

September 1999

2

PDF files can be read and printed using the free

Adobe® Acrobat® Reader which can be

downloaded at http://www.adobe.com/prodindex/

acrobat/readstep.html).
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 3

Turkey

Power Profile

Population (millions) - July 1998 64.57

Overall Electrification (% of population) 99%

GDP (billion US$) - 1997 est. $388.3

Real GDP Growth Rate - 1997 est. 7.2%

Inflation Rate (CPI) - 1997 99.0%

Total Installed Capacity (MWe) - 1998 22,625

Electricity Consumption per Capita (kWh) - 1997 1,784

Energy Demand Growth Rate 11.8%

Prices (US¢/kWh) - September 1999

Residential

Commercial

Industrial

Source: TEDAS. Residential and Industrial rates

represent an average of tariffs for “Provinces Under

Development” and “Other Provinces.”

0.10

0.09

0.07

Estimated Geothermal Power Potential (MWe) 4,500

Estimated Geothermal Direct Use Potential (MWt) 32,000

Power Summary

Turkey–with a young and growing population, low per

capita electricity consumption, rapid urbanization, and

strong economic growth–is one of the fastest growing

power markets in the world. Averaging an impressive

10% growth in electricity demand over the past ten

years, Turkey is the fourth-fastest growing electricity

market after China, India, and Brazil.

Projections by Turkey’s state utility, Electricity

Generating and Transmission Corporation (TEAS), 

indicate that the country’s demand for electricity will

grow by 246% over the next 15 years and require an

estimated 160 new power plants. Turkey’s installed

capacity is expected to be 65,069 MWe by 2010 and

109,218 by 2020 (up from its current level of 22,625

MWe).

The Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (MENR)

predicts the need for 2,500-3,000 MWe of new capacity

each year at a total cost by 2010 for generation and

Turkey
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 4

transmission alone of $72.3 billion. The Government of

Turkey (GOT) expects to finance about a quarter of the

projects with the balance coming from private-sector

investors. 

MENR plans to install 33 lignite-fired units, 27 natural

gas-fired units, 12 coal-fired plants, 2 nuclear power

plants, and 113 hydroelectric units to meet the country’s

growing electric power needs. To date, 20 projects have

been awarded for a total of 12,270 MWe; 47% of the

planned installed capacity will be fueled by natural gas,

up from 16% in 1998. The majority of the rest will be

coal-fired. 

With electricity shortages and blackouts already

common (partly as a result of generation and distribution

losses as high as 20%), increasing the country’s

electricity generating capacity is a top priority for

Turkish energy officials.

Turkey’s primary indigenous energy resources are

hydropower, which is mainly located in the eastern part

of the country, and lignite. Almost all oil and natural gas

is imported, as well as high quality coal. The country

also has a large potential for renewable energy including

wind, solar, and geothermal power. 

Marmara, the Aegean and Southeast Anatolian regions of

Turkey are rich in wind energy, the Southeast and

Mediterranean regions in solar energy, and the Aegean

and Marmara regions in geothermal energy. 

Although estimates are that geothermal power potential

in Turkey could amount to 4.5 GWe, little progress has

been made toward exploiting this potential due to

technical, financial, administrative, and economic

problems, including artificially low electricity prices.

The GOT has kept electricity prices relatively low,

setting prices for household consumers at the same level

as that for industrial users. This has led to a lack of

available funds for investment and contributed to the

rapid growth in energy demand. To promote renewable

sources, the GOT must create a level playing field by

allowing prices of conventional fuels to rise to market

levels. 

In the fourth quarter of 1998, Turkey produced 28,735.7

GWh gross of electricity, up 4.66% from the fourth

quarter of 1997. Of the total, 64% was thermal (lignite,

oil, and natural gas), 35% hydro power, and less than 1%

came from other sources e.g. geothermal and biomass. 

Of the total, TEAS and TEAS partnerships produced over

85%. Private power generators account for only 6% of

the total electricity generated.

By 2010, Turkey’s total capacity will be composed of

28.4% natural gas, 22% lignite and hard coal, 39.1%

hydro, 6.5% fuel and diesel oil, and 3.2% nuclear. 
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 5

Turkey’s hydroelectric economic capacity will be fully

utilized and its indigenous thermal energy resources

exhausted by the year 2010. Turkey currently produces

less than 50% of its energy needs; this will decrease to

25.3% by 2020. 

Turkey has chosen natural gas as the preferred fuel for

the massive amount of new power plant capacity to be

added in coming years. This makes sense for Turkey for

several reasons: environmental (gas is cleaner than coal,

lignite, or oil); geographic (Turkey is close to huge

amounts of gas in the Middle East and Central Asia);

energy security (Turkey is seeking to diversify its energy

import sources); economic (Turkey could offset part of

its energy import bill through transit fees it could charge

for oil and gas shipments across its territory); and

political (Turkey is seeking to strengthen relations with

Caspian and Central Asian countries, several of which

are potentially large gas exporters). 

Turkey’s strategic location also makes it a natural

“energy bridge” between major oil producing areas in

the Middle East and Caspian Sea regions on the one

hand, and consumer markets in Europe on the other. Oil

and gas transportation is a crucial and contentious issue

in the Caspian Sea/Central Asia regions. Turkey, Russia,

and Iran are competing to route the rich energy resources

of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and

Uzbekistan through their territories. Turkey is pressing

for a “Western route” pipeline that would carry oil from

Azerbaijan’s port of Baku through Azerbaijan and

Georgia and then across Turkey to the Mediterranean

port of Ceyhan, at an estimated cost of $1.8-$3 billion. 

In late May 1998, former U.S. Secretary of Energy

Federico Peña during a trip to Turkey reiterated U.S.

support for this plan, calling the Baku-Ceyhan route

“optimum.”
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 6

August 17, 1999 Earthquake

Turkey sits astride the North Anatolian Fault and has

endured numerous earthquakes this century. On August

17, 1999 a devastating earthquake lasting 45 seconds

and confirmed to be 7.4 on the Richter scale, hit Izmit

approximately 55 miles east-southeast of Istanbul. The

quake killed more than 16,000, injured over 23,000,

destroyed over 20,000 houses, and left 100,000

homeless. Aftershocks have since continued. 

Geophysicists at the U.S. National Earthquake

Information Center described the quake as one of the

most powerful recorded in the 20th century, nearly

rivaling the 7.9-magnitude temblor that devastated San

Francisco in 1906. It was felt as far east as Ankara, 200

miles away, and across parts of the Balkans. 

The hard-hit area accounts for a third of the country’s

gross domestic product. According to Turkish officials,

the total estimated cost to reconstruct industrial

facilities, homes, public services, and other

infrastructure will exceed $25 billion, at a time when the

country is struggling to reduce its government deficit

and reduce inflation. The World Bank has pledged $120

million in new loans and said that $100 million in

existing loans would be transferred to Turkey more

quickly.

Despite the challenges, due to its prospects for

tremendous growth, the U.S. Department of Commerce

has designated Turkey one of the world’s ten Big

Emerging Markets (BEMs). The U.S. Mission in Turkey

will support American firms in their efforts to implement

private power generation and electricity distribution

projects and ensure the greatest American participation

possible in Turkey’s privatization process.

Government / Legislation

Turkey’s energy sector is characterized by a strong state

presence with a large number of monopolistic state

enterprises. The State Planning Organization prepares

and monitors macro plans and evaluates private sector

energy investments with the Ministry of Energy and

Natural Resources (MENR). A Treasury Undersecretary

coordinates energy sector financing. The State utility,

Turkish Electricity Generation and Transmission

Company (TEAS), is responsible for generation and

transmission while state-owned Turkish Electricity

Distribution Company (TEDAS) is responsible for

distribution. Finally, the state company, Turkish

Petroleum Corporation’s (TPAO) principal activities are

the exploration, drilling and production of oil, natural

gas, and geothermal energy. TPAO entered into

geothermal exploration in 1987. 

Although Turkey has privatized $20 billion worth of

state energy sector assets by 1998, privatization efforts
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 7

have been hindered by a lack of political consensus over

the benefits of a smaller public sector, and legal debates

both in parliament and the Turkish constitutional court

over the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) and BuildOperate (BO) models. Greater availability and easier

access to financing and faster approval of BOT, BO, and

Transfer of Operational Rights (TOR) projects is

anticipated, however, with the August 13, 1999

amendment to the Constitution. 

Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (MENR)

Established in 1963, MENR supervises the overall

development of Turkey’s energy resources, leads the

country’s power sector privatization program, and is

responsible for preparing a privatization strategy and

action plan to implement the recommended institutional

and regulatory changes necessary to transfer ownership

to the private sector and provide an efficient and reliable

electricity supply at least cost. Its energy policies

include:

• diversifying energy supplies and avoiding

dependence on a single source or country;

• meeting demand as much as possible

through indigenous resources; and

• adding new and renewable sources

(geothermal, solar, wind, etc.) as soon as

possible to the energy supply system;

MENR: • identifies projects for private power;
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 8

• selects (through tender or otherwise) and

licenses companies to carry out those

projects;

• negotiates for each project the terms of the

contract that contains the license as well as

the main principles for other Turkish

project documents (most importantly the

tariff for the purchase of power); and

• establishes the technical parameters for the

design and construction of each project

(Verrier and Yildirim, 1998).3

Turkey’s environmental policies related to Global

Climate Change and the limitation of CO2 and other

greenhouse gases include: 

• economic assessment of environmental

factors in energy fuel cycles, from

production to consumption;

• support for R&D Programs on renewable

energies to increase their utilization; and 

• extended involvement in geothermal

energy projects, supported by loans from

the Ministry of Environment.4

MENR must license all forms of private power and

approve all projects. Its approval initially takes the form

of an approved feasibility study (for privately negotiated

projects) or a tender award (for tendered projects). 

MENR has launched 13 tenders for 161 projects since

1996. 

Turkish Electricity Generation and Transmission

Corporation (TEAS)

State utility, TEAS, owns and operates 15 thermal and 30

hydroelectric plants which generate 91% of Turkey’s

electricity, and operates the country’s transmission

network at a voltage level of 66 kV and above. TEAS

sells electricity to TEDAS and its companies, to private

distribution companies, and to individual customers.

For generation projects, a contract with TEAS (an

“Energy Sales Agreement”) is required for the power

3 The role of MENR is reduced to licensing for

Build-Operate (BO) projects.

4 Black Sea Regional Energy Centre (1997). 

“Black Sea Energy Review of Turkey.” European

Commission - Directorate General for Energy

(DGXVII), The SYNERGY Programme,

http://www.bsrec.bg/turkey/turkey_energyandenv

ironment.html
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 9

purchase. TEAS purchases the power generated or made

available by the project company on a long term take-orpay basis. Negotiations with TEAS are difficult and

time-consuming (Verrier and Yildirim, 1998). 

Supreme Administrative Court (“Danistay”)

The license contract for all private power projects (with

the possible exception of the license for the BO model)

must be submitted to the Danistay for review and

approval. In practice, this has meant delay and revisions

to contract terms.

Law 3096 - “Granting Authorization to Institutions other

than the Turkish Electricity Authority (TEK) for

Generation, Transmission, Distribution, and Trade of

Electricity” commonly known as the “Build-OperateTransfer (BOT) Law” (December 1984)

The heart of private power legislation in Turkey is Law

No, 3096 which is commonly referred to as the “BOT

Law” although it actually provides the legal basis for all

models of private power except the BO model (Verrier

and Yildirim, 1998). 

Passed in 1984, Law No. 3096 allows private sector

companies, (in addition to TEAS and TEDAS), to

generate, transmit, and distribute electric power in

Turkey. In July 1998, a challenge to the Law by

Danistay was overruled by the Constitutional Court Law. 

Law No. 4446 (August 13, 1999)

The Turkish Parliament, by a large majority, amended the

Turkish Constitution on August 13, 1999 to provide for

privatization and international arbitration for concession

contracts in which there is a foreign element. The

amendment also stipulates that Danistay is charged with

“providing opinions, within two months, on concession

contracts and agreements in connection with public services”

which should hasten the review process. 

Law No. 4493 (December 20, 1999)

The new Enabling Law (No. 4493) now includes power

projects in the BOT Law (No. 3096), specifically,

“electric power generation, transmission, distribution

and trading.”

Current legal framework allows private companies to

construct new power plants either under the BOT model

introduced in 1984, the BO model introduced in 1996, or

as Autoproducers. Private companies are also allowed to

operate existing power plants by receiving their

operational rights through a TOR.

Build-Operate-Transfer Model (1984)

The BOT generation model is the classic model in

Turkey for private power generation. Under a BOT, the

sponsor normally establishes a Turkish company to enter
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 10

into a contract with MENR. This contract is referred to

as the Implementation Contract, the Authorization

Contract, or the Concession Contract. (The BO model

does not include such contracts, only a short license.) 

The BOT model is based on a concession agreement and

as such is subject to Danistay review and approval.5 The

debate over whether electricity is indeed a “public

service” and to be delivered only on the restricted terms

of a concession rages on even as blackouts become

more frequent. 

Under the BOT model, MENR licenses private Turkish

companies (i.e., foreigners must establish Turkish project

vehicles) to build and operate new generation facilities

and to sell the electricity to TEAS for a license period

that in practice has been about 20 years. The State owns

the site and the plant, reducing therefore, the security

that would normally be available to lenders, but the

project company is granted a limited right of use that

may be registered and mortgaged. At the end of the

license period the plant must be transferred to the State

(Verrier and Yildirim, 1998). 

MENR prefers the BOT model for new hydropower

projects. Geothermal projects are permitted under the

BOT model as well. 

5 The Turkish Constitutional Court held in a

landmark decision in 1996 that the generation,

transmission, and distribution of electricity

constitutes a public service and, as such, private

power projects are “concessions” (Verrier and

Yildirim). 
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 11

Build-Operate (BO) Model (1996)

MENR developed the BO model as an alternative for

thermal projects to the BOT model, and in order to

address some of the problems inherent in the BOT model.

The BO model is based on commercial license

agreements and contracts and is subject to international

arbitration. 

The BO model differs from the BOT model in that:

• There is no transfer of the plant to the State

at the end of the license period;

• The Treasury guarantee is limited to

TEAS’s purchase obligations;

• Ownership of the plant belongs to the

project company;

• The tendered terms of the Energy Sales

Agreement are drastically less favorable

than the earlier financed Energy Sales

Agreements;

• Buyout of the project (e.g., in

circumstances of force majeure or

government default) is not apparently

available;

• There is no support from the Electrical

Energy Fund; and

• The license contract with MENR is replaced

by a simple license from MENR (Verrier

and Yildirim, 1998).

The BO model has been challenged by the Chamber of

Electrical Engineers6 which asserts that it is a concession

rather than a contract. In July 1997, the Turkish

Parliament passed a new BO law aimed at overcoming

legal obstacles to private power ventures which

provoked a further challenge form the Chamber. The BO

model is currently under Constitutional review.

Autoproducers (Self-generators)

In the words of a MENR official, autoproduction projects

are “just like a BOT, only quicker and simpler” (Verrier

and Yildirim, 1998). Autoproduction is a simple, quick,

and efficient way for a Turkish company in need of

electricity to obtain a license to generate its own power

and sell the excess. 

Industrial companies, hospitals, and satellite towns

having more than 5,000 accommodations may construct

and operate electricity generation facilities for their own

electricity needs. If the facility is constructed as an 

autoproduction group, the generated electricity and

excess heat may be distributed to the other group

members. Autoproducers’ excess generation, which

6 The Chamber of Electrical Engineers is a quasipublic professional body that has been attacking

many private power initiatives (Verrier and

Yildirim, 1998).
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 12

cannot be consumed by the autoproducer, may be

purchased by TEAS, TEDAS, or an assigned distribution

company.

Making the process easier, both the Implementation

Contract (with MENR) and the Energy Sales Agreement

(with TEAS or TEDAS) which is used to sell surplus

power, are standard forms which require little

negotiation. The tariff for the sale of surplus power to

TEAS or TEDAS and the wheeling charges for

transporting the power are set by statute. The State is not

concerned with the price at which the autoproducer sells

it power to members of its group. Autoproducers are not

limited in size although in practice their size has been

between 5 and 20 MWe. 

Transfer of Operational Rights (TOR)

Under a Transfer of Operational Rights (TOR), a private

company receives a facility against a transfer fee and

then manages, operates, maintains, invests, and finances

the facility during the predetermined transfer term. At

the end of the term, facilities are transferred back to the

original owner without any cost or burden.

Electrical Energy Fund

Turkey has established an “Electrical Energy Fund” to

help private power, at least BOT and TOR generation

projects. It would provide funding to the project

company during circumstances of force majeure. For

several projects, it has agreed to pay the purchase price

for the project if a “buyout” forces a sale to the State

upon the occurrence of specified events such as

prolonged force majeure (Verrier and Yildirim, 1998).
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 13

Proposed Legislation – Energy Market Law

The GOT is currently outlining new legislation, “The

Energy Market Law,” to liberalize and restructure the

power sector. Under a draft of this legislation, energy

production and distribution would be privatized, while

transmission lines would remain state-owned. A new

body, the Electrical Distribution and Centralized

Services of Turkey, would be created which would

supervise the overall system, and oversee TEAS and

TEDAS. (TEDAS will most likely be disbanded after

distribution lines have been privatized.) 

The new firm would buy energy from producers and sell

it to regional distributors at wholesale prices. It would

also provide credit to the private sector and operate the

subsidy mechanism. In the short-run, there will be a

pool system comprised of central buyers and sellers of

electricity, while in the longer-term buyers and sellers

would act independently under free market conditions.

General Directorate of Foreign Investment

Turkey established the General Directorate of Foreign

Investment as a central point of contact for foreign

investors. Foreign firms enjoy the same rights and

incentive treatment as domestic ones. Major power

projects are given incentives including zero customs

duty if an incentive certificate is obtained.

While Turkish government policies do not discriminate

against foreign investment, all companies–regardless of

ownership–are subject to the political uncertainties,

excessive bureaucracy, and a sometimes unclear legal

environment that prevails in Turkey. For instance,

although the Turkish government strongly supports new

foreign investment in Turkey’s energy sector, successive

court rulings have delayed many projects for years.

No Specific Law for Geothermal

Turkey has no specific laws for the development of

geothermal resources. 

Within the framework of the regulations prepared in

accordance with the BOT Law (No. 3096), it is possible

to commission local and foreign companies, having

special legislative statues, for electricity generation,

transmission, distribution, and trade with a geothermal

power plant.

The General Directorate of Energy Affairs under MENR

is responsible for the development of geothermal

projects in Turkey. Studies on a “Draft Law for

Geothermal Sources and Mineral Water” is currently

being carried out under the coordination of MENR and

other related corporations. These will be submitted to

the National Assembly in the near future. There is
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 14

already a law proposal in this regard submitted to the

National Assembly as well.7

7

Per a letter received from Cigdem Hatunoglu,

Head of Department of Foreign Relations, the

Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources,

February 11, 2000.
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 15

GEOTHERMAL POWER & DIRECT USE POTENTIAL

IN TURKEY

Site / Project Status

2 Prefeasibility study

3 Feasibility study

4 Well(s) or hole(s) drilled

5 Construction underway

6 Power plant(s) on site

7 Direct use -- developed

8 Preliminary identification/report

9 Concession

10 Reconnaissance

11 Direct use -- undeveloped

SITE / PROJECT NAME STATUS

DIRECT USE

INSTALLED

CAPACITY

(MWT)

DIRECT USE

POTENTIAL

(MWT)

POWER GENERATION

INSTALLED

CAPACITY

(MWE)

POWER GENERATION

POTENTIAL

(MWE)

Afyon-Bolvadin-Gazligöl-Oruçöglu 7 29.2 107

Afyon-Ömer-Gecek 7 2.6 2.6

Afyon-Sandikli 7

Ankara-Avas 7

Ankara-Haymana 7 0.09 0.09

Ankara-Kizilcahamam-Ayas-Mürtet-Çubuk 7 21 21 5

Ankara-Meliksah 4

Aydin 4 30 174
SITE / PROJECT NAME STATUS

DIRECT USE

INSTALLED

CAPACITY

(MWT)

DIRECT USE

POTENTIAL

(MWT)

POWER GENERATION

INSTALLED

CAPACITY

(MWE)

POWER GENERATION

POTENTIAL

(MWE)

Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 16

Aydin-Germencik 4 110

Aydin-Salvatli 4

Balikesir-Gönen 7 37 37

Balikesir-Havran 7

Balikesir-Kepekler 8

Balikesir-Sindirgi-Pamukçu 7 1.6

Bingöl 8

Bitlis-Nemrut 4

Bursa 7 2.8

Çanakkale-Ezine-Kestanbol 7 3.37 3.37

Çanakkale-Hidirlar 8

Çanakkale-Tuzla 4

Denizli 2

Denizli-Kizildere-Sarayköy 6 20.4 200

Denizli-Pamukkale-Yenice 8

Denizli-Tekke Hamam-Karahayit 7

Diyarbakir 8

Erzincan-Ilica 7

Erzurum-Dumlu 8

Erzurum-Ilica-Pasinler 4
SITE / PROJECT NAME STATUS

DIRECT USE

INSTALLED

CAPACITY

(MWT)

DIRECT USE

POTENTIAL

(MWT)

POWER GENERATION

INSTALLED

CAPACITY

(MWE)

POWER GENERATION

POTENTIAL

(MWE)

Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 17

Eskisehir 7

Gazligöl 8

Gözlek-Amasya 4

Istanbul-Termal 8

Izmir-Agamemnun 3

Izmir-Balçova 7 62 62

Izmir-Cesme 4

Izmir-Dikili-Bergama 7 56 224

Izmir-Seferihiser 7 6

Kayseri 8

Kirsehir 7 18.25 83.25

Kirsehir-Kaman 7

Kirsehir-Karakurt 8

Kirsehir-Mahmutlu 8

Kirsehir-Terme 7

Kütahya-Gediz 7 0.61 0.61

Kütahya-Simav-Eynal-Citgöl-Nasa 7 68.2 100.4

Kütahya-Yoncali 7 0.93 0.93

Kuzuluk-Sakarya 7 11.2 11.2

Manisa-Kursunlu 8
SITE / PROJECT NAME STATUS

DIRECT USE

INSTALLED

CAPACITY

(MWT)

DIRECT USE

POTENTIAL

(MWT)

POWER GENERATION

INSTALLED

CAPACITY

(MWE)

POWER GENERATION

POTENTIAL

(MWE)

Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 18

Manisa-Salihli-Alasehir 7 0.26 47.26 47

Manisa-Urganli 8

Nevsehir-Acigöl 8

Nevsehir-Kozakli 3 11.1

Rize-Ayder 7 0.24 0.24

Samsun-Havza 7 0.7 0.7

Samsun-Kocapinar 7

Seben 8

Sicakçermik-Sivas 7 0.17 0.17

Süleymanli 8

Tokat Resadiye 3 7.16

Tokat-Sulusaray 7

Van-Zilan 4

Yozgat-Bogazliyan 7

Other – spa heating 285 285

Other – greenhouses 78.9 78.9

TOTALS 705.72 1262.38 20.4 368
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 19
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 20

Geothermal Sites / Projects

Geologically, Turkey is composed of the Aegean and

Anatolian plates which cover the western and central

parts of the country. These plates are bordered in the

north by the North Anatolian Fault Zone and in the south

and east by the Ecemis Fault Zone, the Aegean Trench,

and the Dead Sea-Eastern Anatolian Fault Zone. 

Tensional stress is typical for the Aegean and Anatolian

plates (Geothermal Atlas of Europe, 1992).

Two east-west stretching elongated anomalies of high

heat flow (over 80 mW/m2) run parallel to the coastlines

of the eastern and western Black Sea. These anomalies

are believed to be associated with the upper Cretaceous

volcanic and igneous rocks in the east and metamorphic

and igneous rocks in the west. Very high heat flow of up

to 150 mW/m2 is typical for the Paleozoic metamorphic

rocks of the Menderes massif in the western part of

Turkey where many boiling and hot water springs exist. 

Turkey lies on the active Alpine-Himalayan Orogenic

Belt, an important geothermal energy zone which is the

scene of geologically recent volcanic activities and is

characterized by acidic volcanism. The area has more

than 600 hot springs with temperatures ranging from

25oC to as high as 102oC, fumaroles, and numerous other

hydrothermal alteration zones. Geothermal

manifestations are widely spread in western Anatolia,

extending to the Sea of Marmara. Temperatures are

higher in western Anatolia than in the highlands of

eastern Anatolia.

The Alpine-Himalayan Orogenic Belt is composed of the

Anatolian-Aegean cratonic plates pressed between the

great Eurasian plate in the north and the Afro-Arabian

plate in the south, both of which are divided into smaller

plates. The borders of these smaller plates are zones of

active fractures and constitute severe seismic areas. The

area’s geological and tectonic evolution has been

dominated by the repeated opening and closing of the

Paleozoic and Mesozoic oceans (Dewey and Sengör,

1979; Jackson and McKenzie, 1988). Most of the

neotectonic activities in Anatolia are caused by the

northerly movement of the Arabian plate towards Eurasia

(McKenize, 1972; Sengör, 1979). 

Four Turkish volcanoes have been active during

historical times–Mounts Kula, Erciyes, Nemrut, and

Süphan (Kurtman and Sâmilgil, 1975). The area also

experiences frequent earthquakes including the

devastating earthquake on August 17, 1999 which was

centered on Izmit and measured 7.4 on the Richter scale. 

Grabens, thought to be important from a geothermal

energy point of view, exist in western and central

Anatolia. The most important are Menderes, Gediz,

Seferihisar, Bergama, Tuzla, Manyas, Afyon, and
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 21

Kizilcahamam. Many hot water springs occur along the

faults of the grabens. 

Although not as important as the grabens, great active

fault zones such as the east-to-west-extending

Sindirgi-Gediz fault zone in western Anatolia, seems

promising in terms of geothermal energy potential

(Kurtman and Sâmilgil, 1975). 

Turkey can be divided into four main geothermal

regions:

1. western Anatolia, 

2. the north Anatolian fault zone,

3. eastern Anatolia, and

4. central Anatolia.

Eastern and central Anatolia have been affected by upper

Tertiary-recent volcanic activity (Simsek and Okandan,

1990). 

In western Anatolia, a study conducted by the Mineral

Research and Exploration Institute (MTA Institute)

identified 123 hot springs and 36 geothermal areas. The

37 hot springs along the 1500-km north Anatolian fault

are mainly used by local people for balneological

purposes. Widespread young volcanism and

hydrothermal alteration is observed and 44 hot springs

occur in central Anatolia. In eastern Anatolia, seven

geothermal areas have been identified. 

Geothermal fluids encountered in Turkey can be

classified chemically as 95% incrusting and two to three

geothermal fields have highly corrosive geothermal

fluids. In three of the 140 geothermal fields, geothermal

fluid containing total dissolved solids (TDS) exceeds

5000 ppm. Turkish geothermal operators claim to have

virtually overcome the consequences of scaling and

corrosion in both high and low temperature wells, and

scientific research continues. 

Systematic geothermal exploration began in Turkey in

1961-1962 when the MTA Institute began an inventory

of Turkey’s hot springs. The inventory was followed by

the development and implementation of geological and

hydrogeological studies, magnetic maps, gravity studies,

hydrochemical analysis, gradient drillings, and

resistivity and seismic reflection methods. As a result of

these studies, 14 geothermal areas were identified,

primarily in western Anatolia. Turkey was divided into

six geothermal regions which are being individually and

systematically developed.

The first geothermal exploration drilling took place in

1963 in the Izmir-Balçova field, but the 124oC fluid was

not utilized for almost 20 years due to rapid scaling. 

Currently, the country’s geothermal resources are

primarily being used for heating, which accounts for

over 90% of total direct use, greenhouses, and

balneology. 
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 22

As of 1995, Turkey’s installed geothermal capacity was

159.67 MWt (23,000 dwellings equivalency) with 121.10

MWt (17,300 dwellings) under construction, feasibility

studies completed for an additional 563.46 MWt (80,500

dwellings), and 1,420 MWt in natural springs or

geothermal wells which are used for balneology and hot

spring facilities. 

Approximately 40,000 homes are heated with geothermal

resources across Turkey. Geothermal energy provides

the least expensive heat at a cost of 0.1-0.56 ¢/kWh heat

for geothermal compared to 5.6 ¢/kWh for fuel-oil, 4.8

¢/kWh for natural gas, and 3.9 ¢/kWh for coal (1994

prices) (Merto•lu and Basarir, 1995).

The total proven geothermal direct use capacity of

Turkey is 2,264.2 MWt (Merto•lu and Basarir, 1995). 

Geothermal heat production capacity is expected to be

2,520 MWt in 2000 and 6,500 MWt by 2010.

The development of Turkey’s high enthalpy geothermal

resources for power generation lags far behind direct use

applications. The country currently has only one

operating geothermal power plant at Denizli-Kizildere

(or Sarayköy-Kizildere) field where scaling has caused

serious production problems. The plant has an installed

capacity of 20.4 MWe. The plant also provides power to

an enterprise which produces 40,000 tons of industrial

food grade CO2 annually.

In addition to Denizli-Kizildere, other fields in Turkey

which have high enthalpy resources suitable for electric

power generation are: 

• Aydin-Germencik, 

• Canakkale-Tuzla, 

• Izmir-Seferihiser, 

• Bitlis-Nemrut-Zilan-Suphan-Tendurek,

• Nevsehir-Acigöl, 

• Aydin-Salvatli, 

• Kütahya-Simav, and 

• Izmir-Dikili-Bergama.

Turkey has extensive geothermal

resources–4,000-4,5008 MWe of power generation

potential and 32,000 MWe of low enthalpy direct use

resources, enough to heat five million homes. 

Making greater use of Turkey’s high and low enthalpy

geothermal resources could significantly help combat

serious pollution problems resulting from the use of

8 According to the Preliminary Report: 

Geothermal Energy, The Potential for Clean

Power from the Earth, Geothermal Energy

Association, April 1999, Turkey’s estimated

geothermal potential electrical capacity is 1,380

MWe. The figure used is an estimate of annual

electricity production using the Enhanced

Technology High estimate.
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 23

fossil fuels for heating in many cities, and save foreign

currency on natural gas imports. Turkey plans to

generate 125 MWe from Germencik, Kizildere,

Canakkale and several other fields by the year 2000, 150

MWe by 2005, and 258 MWe by 2010.

Data on the following geothermal sites in Turkey is

included in the database:

1. Afyon-Bolvadin-Gazligöl-Oruçöglu

2. Afyon-Bolvadin

3. Afyon-Ömer-Gecek

4. Afyon-Sandikli

5. Ankara-Avas

6. Ankara-Haymana

7. Ankara-Kiziilcahamam-Ayas-MürtetÇubuk

8. Ankara-Meliksah

9. Aydin

10. Aydin-Germencik

11. Aydin-Salvatli

12. Balikesir-Gönen

13. Balikesir-Havran

14. Balikesir-Kepekler

15. Balikesir-Sindirgi-Pamukçu

16. Bingöl

17. Bitlis-Nemrut

18. Bursa

19. Çanakkale-Ezine-Kestanbol

20. Canakkale-Hidirlar

21. Canakkale-Tuzla

22. Denizli

23. Denizli-Kizildere-Sarayköy

24. Denizli-Pamukkale-Yenice

25. Denizli-Tekke Hamam-Karahayit

26. Diyarbakir

27. Erzincan-Ilica

28. Erzurum-Dumlu

29. Erzurum-Ilica-Pasinler

30. Eskisehir

31. Gazligöl

32. Gözlek-Amasya

33. Izmir-Agamemnun

34. Izmir-Balçova

35. Izmir-Cesme

36. Izmir-Dikili-Bergama

37. Izmir-Seferihiser

38. Istanbul-Termal

39. Kayseri

40. Kirsehi

41. Kirsehir-Kaman

42. Kirsehir-Karakurt

43. Kirsehir-Mahmutlu

44. Kirsehir-Terme

45. Kütahya-Gediz

46. Kütahya-Simav-Eynal-Citgöl-Nasa

47. Kütahya-Yoncali

48. Kuzuluk-Sakarya

49. Manisa-Kursunlu

50. Manisa-Salihli-Alasehir
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 24

51. Manisa-Urganli

52. Nevsehir-Acigöl

53. Nevsehir-Kozakli

54. Rize-Ayder

55. Samsun-Havza

56. Samsun-Kocapinar

57. Seben

58. Sicakçermik-Sivas

59. Süleymanli

60. Tokat Resadiye

61. Tokat-Sulusaray

62. Van-Zilan

63. Yozgat-Bogazliyan

Afyon-Bolvadin-Gazligöl-Oruçöglu

LOCATION

14 km northwest of Afyon (near 38.5o latitude, 30.2o

longitude).

STATUS

Direct use -- developed

TEMPERATURE (°C) 48-97

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) 29.2

POTENTIAL (MWt) 107

CHRONOLOGY

1966 - Work began to increase water supply.

1971 - In view of the proximity of the hot springs to

the city of Afyon, efforts were directed towards

heating the city. Detailed geologic studies, together

with geochemical and geophysical work, led to drilling

of wells. 

1970 to 1974 - The MTA Institute drilled two

exploratory wells (120 and 166 m) and AF-1, a

production well (905 m). The temperatures and

production rates of the exploratory wells were 82-86oC

and 20-29 l/sec. AF-1 had a well-bottom temperature

of 106.5oC, well-bottom pressure of 1195 psig at 900

m, production rate of 20 l/sec, and gas content about

0.350-0.375% CO2 by weight (Tan, 1975).

1975 - Second production well drilled. 

November 1989 - Afyon-Õmer Thermal Facility with

geothermal heating for a 35-room hotel, spas, and

5000 m2-greenhouses began operation; capacity of

2,200,000 kcal/h. Anti-scaling system installed which

completely prevents scaling problems; total installed

capacity is 2.60 MWt.

1994 - Afyon-Bolvadin hotel heating system began

operating; total capacity is 900,000 kcal/h; 1.05 MWt. 
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 25

NOTES

Afyon - installed capacity is 24.9 MWt.

Afyon-Bolvadin Hotel - heating system; installed

capacity is 1 MWt.

Afyon-Gazligõl Thermal Facilities – 68oC geothermal

water with a capacity of 550,000 kcal/h (0.64 MWt)

provides heat for 100 dwellings equivalency.

Afyon-Oruçöglu Thermal Resort Facilities – 48oC

water used for floor heating system as well as heat and

hot water for hotel and curing center; total capacity is

2,350,000 kcal/h or 2.73 MWt.

Afyon – Feasibility study completed for geothermal

heating of 10,208 dwellings (first stage) and hot water

supply for 16,000 dwellings; total capacity is 107

MWt.

Afyon-Ömer-Gecek

LOCATION

North of Afyon (38.5o latitude, 30.2o longitude).

STATUS

Direct use -- developed

TEMPERATURE (°C) 79-160

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) 2.6

POTENTIAL (MWt) 2.6

CHRONOLOGY

1974 - 2 wells drilled, AF-1 and R-260; encountered

temperatures of 98oC and 95oC with flow rates of 19.80

and 48.02 kg/s respectively.

1975 - 2 more wells, AF-4 and 5, drilled; encountered

temperatures of 97oC and 95oC with flow rates of 33.59

and 76.92 kg/s respectively.

1982 - 4 wells, AF-5, 6, 7, and 8, drilled; encountered

temperatures of 79oC, 92oC, 97oC, and 80oC with flow

rates of 9.80, 9.35, 22.22, and 9.80 kg/s respectively.

NOTES

The system provides heating for theÖmer Thermal

Facilities – a spa-hotel, its recreational facilities, a

5000 m2 greenhouse complex, bathing and swimming,

and fish and other animal farming.

Geothermal fluid is found at an average depth of 120-

200 m at a temperature of 98oC. The flow rate was low

due to rapid scaling. Downhole heat exchangers were

installed.

Together with other chemical properties, spring waters
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 26

having either an SiO2 tenor of 150 mg/l or an rNA/rK

ratio value of 20, indicate a hot water system of 160oC

(Kurtman and Sâmilgil, 1975). 

Afyon-Sandikli

LOCATION

South of Afyon (near 38.5o latitude, 30.2o longitude).

STATUS

Direct use -- developed

TEMPERATURE (°C) 110

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) —

POTENTIAL (MWt) —

CHRONOLOGY 

NOTES

Geothermal used for bathing and swimming and

district heating.

Ankara-Avas

LOCATION

In central Turkey, northwest of Ankara.

STATUS

Direct use -- developed

TEMPERATURE (°C) 22-55

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) —

POTENTIAL (MWt) —

CHRONOLOGY 

1986 - Well A-1 drilled for direct heat utilization;

encountered temperature of 31oC with a flow rate of 45

kg/s. 

NOTES

Well is pumped and used for bathing.

Numerous springs with temperatures between 22 and

55oC are present in the northern, western, and southern

parts of the region surrounding Ankara.

Ankara-Haymana

LOCATION

In central Turkey, southwest of Ankara.

STATUS

Direct use -- developed

TEMPERATURE (°C) 43-44

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) 0.09

POTENTIAL (MWt) 0.09

CHRONOLOGY 
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 27

1986 - 2 wells drilled, H-3 and H-4; encountered

temperatures of 44oC and 43oC with flow rates of 1.50

and 52.00 kg/s respectively. 

October and December 1988 - Floor heating for two

mosques began operating; total capacity of 80,000

kcal/h.

NOTES

Geothermal is used for bathing and district heating.

Numerous springs with temperatures between 22 and

55oC are present in the northern, western, and southern

parts of the region surrounding Ankara.

Ankara-Kizilcahamam-Ayas-Mürtet-Çubuk

LOCATION

70 km northwest of Ankara; numerous hot springs,

thermal alterations, and gas emanations exist; Mürtet

graben is 40 km northwest of Ankara; Çubuk graben

30 km northeast; and Kizilcahamam graben 80 km

north-northwest of Ankara (40.2o latitude, 32.4o

longitude).

STATUS

Direct use -- developed

TEMPERATURE (°C) 50-195

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) 21

POTENTIAL (MWt) 21

CHRONOLOGY 

Ancient times - Spa in use since.

1984 and 1985 - 5 gradient wells were drilled; results

indicated high geothermal gradients but no

permeability was observed; wells MTA-1 (180 m) and

KHD-1 (1556 m) encountered hot flowing fluid of

wellhead temperatures of 75.5oC and 86oC and flow

rates of 26 kg/s and 32 kg/s respectively.

1:25:000-scale geological mapping covering 4000 km2

and 1:10:000-scale mapping covering 30 km2 was

completed; hydrochemical studies of about 80 water

springs, gravity tests of 1000 locations, and resistivity

tests on 1500 locations were also conducted. 8

gradient drillings and 3 deep wells were drilled. 

First well drilled in the Çubuk Plain encountered water

at 113-116 m with a temperature of 32oC and a flow

rate of 150 l/sec. Second well found water at 218-549

m with a temperature of 40oC and a flow rate of 300

l/sec. Water sources were turned over to the State

Water Works (DSI) to help meet local water

requirements. 

NOTES

Geothermal used for bathing and swimming and
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 28

district heating. 

Resource is currently used for heating the

Kizilcahamam Thermal Hotel with a capacity of 65,000

kcal/h, a 1400 m2 greenhouse, and for balneological

purposes. 

The existence of a geothermal fluid of 90oC

temperature at Çubuk, only 30 km from Ankara, will

make possible geothermal district heating which

would decrease air pollution. 

Power generation is considered at Kizilcahamam

where hydrogeochemical studies indicate that a

reservoir temperature of 195oC is expected (Kurtman

and Sâmilgil, 1975). 

Two wells are rented to Ege Energy by MTA to build a

5 MWe binary power plant, using the waste water for

greenhouses and other direct use applications. The

company has a partner from Germany (Günerhan,

1999).

Ankara-Meliksah

LOCATION

In central Turkey.

STATUS

Well(s) or hole(s) drilled

TEMPERATURE (°C) 22-55

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) —

POTENTIAL (MWt) —

CHRONOLOGY 

1974 and 1975 - 2 exploratory wells drilled, MH-1 and

MH-1A; encountered temperatures of 32oC and 43oC

and a flow rate of 35.00 kg/s for MH-1A. Both wells

were artesian.

NOTES

Numerous springs with temperatures between 22 and

55oC are present in the northern, western, and southern

parts of the region surrounding Ankara.

Aydin

LOCATION

In western Anatolia about 100 km west of Kizildere in

the western part of the Büyük Menderes graben;

located in the same graben and in a similar geologic

environment as the Kizildere field.

STATUS

Well(s) or hole(s) drilled

TEMPERATURE (°C) 216-232
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 29

INSTALLED CAPACITY(MWt) 30

POTENTIAL (MWt) 174

CHRONOLOGY 

1985 and 1986 - 3 exploration wells (ÖB-7, ÖB-8, and

ÖB-9) drilled to 1464-2398 m; encountered

temperatures of 220-227oC and flow rates of 35-99

kg/s.

NOTES

Aydin is the province with the most geothermal

resources in Turkey. 

A feasibility study for one of the largest geothermal

district heating systems in Europe has been completed. 

It would provide heat for 18,000 dwellings; airconditioning and hot water for 3,500 dwellings;

200,000 m2 of greenhouses; and 22 MWt industrial

process heat utilization (Mertöglu and Basarir, 1995).

Due to its high temperatures, the field has electric

power generation potential as well which has not been

assessed to date. 

Aydin-Germencik

LOCATION

In western Anatolia about 100 km west of Kizildere in

the western part of the Büyük Menderes graben;

located in the same graben and in a similar geologic

environment as the Kizildere field.

STATUS

Well(s) or hole(s) drilled

TEMPERATURE (°C) 90-232

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWe) —

POTENTIAL (MWe) 110

CHRONOLOGY 

1982 - Exploration began.

1985 and 1986 - Field studies on geology, geophysics,

and geochemistry were conducted by the MTA

Institute; 3 new exploration wells were drilled in

addition to existing 6 wells; ÖB-7, ÖB-8, and ÖB-9

were drilled to 1464-2398 m and encountered

temperatures of 220-227oC and flow rates of 35-99

kg/s. Water flow was observed from two different

layers. The deeper formation exhibiting higher

temperatures (216-232oC) is a marble-quartzite.

NOTES

Aydin is the province with the most geothermal

resources in Turkey. 

Field is under evaluation for the installation of two 55

MWe plants. Discharge fluid could be used for district

heating, greenhouses, agricultural drying, and
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 30

industrial uses. Ormat International has an agreement

to develop the resource. 

Although the rNa/rK ratio of 22.5 indicates a reservoir

temperature of only 160oC, springs cropped directly

from the metamorphics in the neighboring area have

an rNa/rK ratio of 9.5 which indicates a reservoir

temperature of 260oC. The SiO2 tenor of 230-280 mg/l

indicates a reservoir temperature of 180-200oC

(Kurtman and Sâmilgil, 1975). 

Aydin-Salvatli

LOCATION

In western Anatolia in the middle part of the Büyük

Menderes graben; west of the Germencik, Kizildere,

and Denizli fields (37.5o latitude, 28.1o longitude).

STATUS

Well(s) or hole(s) drilled

TEMPERATURE (°C) 42-200

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) —

POTENTIAL (MWt) —

CHRONOLOGY 

1987 and 1988 - 2 exploration wells drilled (AS-1 and

AS-2) to 962 and 1510 m; encountered temperatures of

162oC and 171oC with variable degrees of

permeability.

NOTES

Proposed utilization of this source is for agricultural

purposes, space heating, and balneology, although

temperatures are high enough to consider power

generation as well.

Geophysical studies carried out by the MTA Institute

showed a step-fault structure which is also

characteristic of the Germencik and Kizildere fields. 

Mineral paragenesis indicates a 200oC reservoir

temperature (Karamanderesi and others, 1989) which

is higher than the temperatures measured in wells AS-1

(162oC) and AS-2 (171oC).

Balikesir-Gönen

LOCATION

In northwestern Turkey about 30 km south of the

Marmara Sea (40.0o latitude, 27.4o longitude).

STATUS

Direct use -- developed

TEMPERATURE (°C) 74-100

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) 37

POTENTIAL (MWt) 37
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 31

CHRONOLOGY 

1964 - The first direct use of geothermal resources in

Turkey was heating the Gönen Park Hotel (Balikesir). 

1976 and 1977 - 2 exploratory wells drilled for direct

heat utilization, G-1 and G-2; encountered

temperatures of 74oC and 78oC with flow rates of 14

and 20 kg/s respectively; wells are artesian. 

1976 to 1978 - Heating of the Yildiz Hotel began by

the Gönen Kaplicalari Isetmesi Inc. with a total

capacity of 1200 kcal/h. 

1985 - Third well, G-3, drilled for production to 308

m; encountered temperature of 74oC and a flow rate of

26 kg/s. 

April 1987 - System began operating.

1987 to 1994 - Geothermal waste water with a

temperature of 40oC was discharged to natural sources

1994 to present - A former production well (110 m)

was adapted to be used for reinjection. Waste water is

pumped with 1 bar pressure into the reinjection well. 

Since reinjection began, the dynamic water level has

increased by 20 meters and no temperature decline has

been noted. The flow rate is 80 l/sec and the average

temperature is 80oC.

Downhole pumps have been installed in the

geothermal wells at a depth of 50 m. During the winter

time, the water dynamic level reaches about -45 m. 

Since reinjection, however, the dynamic water level

now reaches -25 m. Wellhead heat exchanger average

inlet and outlet temperatures were reported as 70oC

and 45oC (Merto•lu, 1990). 

NOTES

Gönen was Turkey’s first geothermal district heating

system. 1,500 dwellings, 2000 m2 greenhouse, 600-bed

hotel, and the hot water processing are heated

geothermally with 16.2 MWt capacity. Industrial

utilization include a glue factory, rubber factory, and

60 leather processing sites. 

Each dwelling paid US$15 per month in 1994 for heat

and hot water. Total heat costs in million kcal of

geothermal heat as of March 1993 was US$ 2.2 (9500

Turkey Lira = US$ 1).

Balikesir-Havran

LOCATION

In northwestern Turkey about 30 km south of the

Marmara Sea (40.0o latitude, 27.4o longitude).

STATUS

Direct use -- developed
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 32

TEMPERATURE (°C) —

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) —

POTENTIAL (MWt) —

CHRONOLOGY 

NOTES

Geothermal used for greenhouses and bathing and

swimming.

Balikesir-Kepekler

LOCATION

In northwestern Turkey about 30 km south of the

Marmara Sea (40.0o latitude, 27.4o longitude).

STATUS

Preliminary identification/report

TEMPERATURE (°C) 62-125

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) —

POTENTIAL (MWt) —

CHRONOLOGY 

NOTES

Balikesir-Sindirgi-Pamukçu

LOCATION

In northwestern Turkey about 30 km south of the

Marmara Sea; 60 km southeast of the city of Balikesir

(39.1o latitude, 28.1o longitude)

STATUS

Direct use -- developed

TEMPERATURE (°C) 57-150

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) 1.6

POTENTIAL (MWt) 1.6

CHRONOLOGY 

1986 - Geothermally heated 2000 m2 greenhouse

began operation; system capacity is 45,000 kcal/h.

1989 - TPAO in a joint venture with Unocal drilled

exploration well Hisaralan-2 to a depth of 881 m. 

1995 - Geothermal heating of Balpas thermal facilities;

under construction. Location of hot springs with

temperatures of 98oC and flow rates up to 50 kg/s.

NOTES

Geothermal used for greenhouse heating.

Neogene-aged volcanics are widespread in this area.
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 33

Bingöl

LOCATION

In central-eastern Turkey.

STATUS

Preliminary identification/report

TEMPERATURE (°C) —

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) —

POTENTIAL (MWt) —

CHRONOLOGY 

NOTES

Bitlis-Nemrut

LOCATION

North of Lake Van in eastern Anatolia (38.3o latitude,

42.1o longitude).

STATUS

Well(s) or hole(s) drilled

TEMPERATURE (°C) 250

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) —

POTENTIAL (MWt) —

CHRONOLOGY 

1441 - Youngest volcanic activity in Turkey occurred

in this area; hot fumaroles and hot springs are

widespread. 

1987 and 1988 - TPAO drilled 5 exploration wells in a

joint venture with Unocal (Nemrut 3, 4, 5 and 7, 8) to

depths of 527-1465 m; 250oC estimated. 

NOTES

The MTA Institute conducted geological, geophysical,

and geochemical studies; identified a 4 km-diameter

caldera. 

Bursa

LOCATION

To the south of the Marmara Sea at the northern slope

of Mount Uludag (2543 masl), the highest mountain in

western Turkey. Bursa was the first Ottoman capital

(1326-1451) and has a population of over 800,000.

STATUS

Direct use -- developed

TEMPERATURE (°C) 52-111

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) —

POTENTIAL (MWe) 2.8
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 34

CHRONOLOGY 

Under the Ottoman Empire -The use of thermal water

in Kükürtlü developed.

16th century - The Yeni Kaplica (“new public bath”)

which uses water from the Bag spring, was built; is still

in use today.

1989 - The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology

(ETH Zurich) conducted the multidisciplinary

MARMARA project which involved the study of

tectonics, geology, hydrogeology, seismology,

geodesy, and geothermal prospects in the Marmara Sea

region. Installed 14 Global Position Systems (GPS)

stations. Study showed that the slip-strike movements

of the North Anatolian Fault System and its more

extensional regime in the westernmost part still affect

the Bursa area (Straub, 1996; Schindler, 1993;

Eyidogan et al, 1991).

Evaluation of the GPS data resulted in a deformation

field that clearly shows that the main tectonic activity

of dextral strike-slip type takes place along the

northern strand of the North Anatolian Fault, from the

Mudurnu valley passing through the Marmara Sea to

the Gulf of Saros. The displacement rates are 17 mm/a

on average, with a gradual increase from east to west

(16 to 18 mm/a). Realistic horizontal errors are in the

range of 4 mm/a (Straub and Kahle, 1994, 1995).

NOTES

The Bursa thermal waters at Çekirge and Kükürtlü are

used for bathing and medicinal purposes. Due to the

differences in water temperature and chemistry the two

thermal water resorts have developed in different

ways.

In Çekirge low salinity thermal water flows from four

springs and from some shallow excavations and

boreholes within the Neogene unit. The temperature

varies only slightly, from 46oC (TDS ~ 504 mg/L) at

the highest elevation to 31oC (TDS~485 mg/L) in lower

parts of the district. Bathing at Çekirge dates back to

500 A.D. A well-organized health resort has been

established. A common water distribution system

shared by private and public rehabilitation centers

controls the use of thermal water in this district. The

amount of water flowing from the two main natural

outflows, Vakifbahçe (Vak) and Zeyni’nene (Zey), the

hottest springs, ranges from 700 to 1700 m3 per day. 

The gas composition of both thermal water types is

dominated by CO2 and N2. The gas from the hottest

water in the Çekirge district is made up of CH4 (0.02

vol. %), N2 (39.2%). Ar (0.90%), and CO2 (59.9%). In

Kükürtlü, it consists of CH4 (0.01 vol. %), N2 (10.4%),

O2 (0.55%), Ar (0.26%), and CO2 (88.8%).

Using the chaldeony geothermometer, Çekirge has a

minimum reservoir temperature of 52oC; Kükürtlü
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 35

about 111oC.

In Kükürtlü, two kilometers east of Çekirge, thermal

water flows out within a small travertine complex

which covers a tectonic contact. 

Temperature and mineralization of the Kükürtlü

thermal water vary within the location from 82oC

(TDS~1210 mg/L) at the highest elevation of the

travertine complex at the Bagdemlibahçe (Bag) spring

to 50oC (TDS~1088 mg/L) at the shallow excavations

and boreholes close to the plain. Between 150 to 400

m3 of water flows from the Bag spring per day. 

To date, the geothermal power potential of the thermal

waters has not been fully explored. The 80oC water at

Kükürtlü which is cooled to 40oC by the addition of

cold water, could generate 0.8 MWe with the use of

heat exchangers. The total geothermal potential of

Çekirge is about 2 MWe (Imbach, 1997).

Çanakkale-Ezine-Kestanbol

LOCATION

In northwest Anatolia north of Tuzla.

STATUS

Direct use -- developed

TEMPERATURE (°C) 73-174

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) 3.37

POTENTIAL (MWt) 3.37

CHRONOLOGY 

1976 - 1 exploration well drilled, K-1 for direct heat

utilization, encountered temperature of 73oC with a

flow rate of 20 kg/s; well is artesian.

Geological studies carried out on a 1:25:000 scale

over 1200 km2 and 1:10:000 scale over 90 km2, along

with hydrochemical analyses, gravity and resistivity

measurements, and 8 gradient drillings. Hot water was

encountered in 2 of the drillings; in 2 others, hot water

and steam with blow out were found. 

1982 - 4 additional wells drilled; first well

encountered temperature of 174oC at 333-553 m in

volcanic rocks; second well drilled to 1020 m

encountered temperature up to 174oC but low

permeability; two shallow wells (81 and 128 m )

encountered temperatures of 146oC and 165oC

respectively. Plans are to drill another well to test

suspected deep resources.

1995 - Geothermal heating Kestanbol thermal facilities

under construction.

NOTES
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 36

Geothermal used for greenhouses and bathing and

swimming. The high temperatures also indicate the

potential for electric power generation. 

Çanakkale and Kestanbol are Turkey’s main

balneological centers. 

Canakkale-Hidirlar

LOCATION

In northwest Anatolia northeast of Tuzla.

STATUS

Preliminary identification/report

TEMPERATURE (°C) 80-150

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWe) —

POTENTIAL (MWe) —

CHRONOLOGY 

NOTES

Canakkale-Tuzla

LOCATION

In northwestern Anatolia 80 km south of Canakkale

and 5 km from the Aegean Sea.

STATUS

Well(s) or hole(s) drilled

TEMPERATURE (°C) 102-215

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) —

POTENTIAL (MWt) —

CHRONOLOGY 

1982 and 1983 - 2 exploration wells drilled, T-1 and T2 with temperatures of 173oC and 171oC. T-1 is 814 m

deep and produced a steam and hot water mixture from

the first reservoir in the depth range of 333-553 m in

volcanic rock with a temperature of 173oC, a

production rate of 130 t/h and steam content of 13%.

Geological studies carried out on a 1:25:000 scale

over 1200 km2 and 1:10:000 scale over 90 km2, along

with hydrochemical analyses, gravity and resistivity

measurements, and 8 gradient drillings. Hot water was

encountered in 2 of the drillings; in 2 others, hot water

and steam with blow out were found. 

NOTES

This field could ideally be used for agricultural

purposes as well as power generation.

The field is characterized by geyser-type springs with

20 l/sec of total debit and a temperature of 102oC, with

wide alteration zones of special silicification and

limonitization. 
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 37

The area is very interesting from a hydrogeochemical

viewpoint. The total salinity reaches 61,000 mg/l

which is approximately twice the concentration of sea

water. The amounts and ratios of Mg, Mg/Ca, Na/Ca,

Cl/F, and Cl/HCO3 indicate a hot water system. The

rNa/rK ratio of 13 indicates a reservoir temperature of

~215oC while a low SiO2 tenor (56-100 mg/l) points to

lower temperatures of 130-150oC (Kurtman and

Sâmilgil, 1975).

Denizli

LOCATION

In western Anatolia 31 km south of Kizildere

STATUS

Prefeasibility study

TEMPERATURE (°C) 40-147

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) —

POTENTIAL (MWt) —

CHRONOLOGY

1968 - The MTA Institute began exploring the Denizli

area. 

September 1986 to July 1987 - Virkir Consulting

Group, Inc. conducted a prefeasibility study for a

district heating system for the city of Denizli. The

source of energy is the effluent water from the 20.4

MWe Kizildere geothermal power plant. Main issue is

how to deal with the scaling properties of the effluent

water. 

The Denizli Geothermal District Heating System was

not proven to be economical.

The study also concluded that there appears to be a

high risk of siliceous deposits from the water by

cooling below about 100oC. Tests are needed to find a

way to delay or decrease precipitation or the extent of

scaling by a retention tank before entering the supply

pipe. The pilot plant would test the use of scale

inhibitors, variation of pressure, temperature, and

retention time in both a system with direct heating and

a heat exchange plant heating system (Lindal and

Kristmannsdóttir, 1989).

NOTES

A prefeasibility study of the Denizli Geothermal

District Heating System has been completed. The

system, which would have a heating capacity of

25,000-35,000 dwellings, will be integrated into the

Kizildere Geothermal Power Plant. 

Denizli would use the 147oC waste geothermal water

from the plant which has an average flow rate of 1,000

tons/h. The fluid has been discharged since 1984 to

the Menderes River.
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 38

The Denizli Geothermal District Heating Systemwas

not proven to be economical.

Denizli-Kizildere-Sarayköy

LOCATION

In western Anatolia in the northeastern extreme of the

Büyük Menderes graben, an important tectonic

structure of Quaternary age, where it intersects the

Gediz and Çürüksu grabens in western Turkey. 

Situated on a Neogene-filled basin surrounded by high

topographic level metamorphics of the Menderes

massif, north of the east-west trending Büyük

Menderes graben. Area, which extends from east of

Çubujdag town (Kuyucak, Aydin) to Sarayköy and

Buldan towns (Denizli) covers approximately 650 km2

(Denizli province).

This area is a first degree earthquake zone; annual

average vertical displacement is about 2.4 cm. The

latest volcanic eruption took place 12,000 years B.P.

(Ercan, 1979).

STATUS

Power plant(s) on site

TEMPERATURE (°C) 148-240

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWe) 20.4

POTENTIAL (MWe) 20.4-200

CHRONOLOGY 

1966 - Geological, geophysical, and geochemical

studies carried out with support of the United Nations

Development Programme (UNDP); included a gravity

survey which covered an area of 1500 km2. Studies

showed the existence of two large low-resistivity areas

located parallel to the extension of the hot-water

manifestations of Kizildere and Tekke Hamam, on the

northen and southern parts of the Büyük Menderes

River.

Main, lower reservoir is in the marbles of

metamorphics 34with a depth of 400-1100 m and a

temperature of 200oC; upper second reservoir is in the

fractured components (limestones, siltstones,

conglomerates, etc.), has a depth of 300-800 m, and a

temperature of 170oC.

1967 - Geothermal gradient measurements were taken

and 15 deep test and development holes drilled. 

Found two reservoirs: the Neogene reservoir (300-800

m) has a temperature of 165-175oC; the lower, main

reservoir (400-1100 m) in the marbles has a

temperature of 195-205oC. Limestones of Miocene

age with temperatures of 196-200oC and moderate

permeability, and a few hundred meters deeper,

marbles of Paleozoic age with temperatures of 200-

212oC and high permeability. Deeper reservoir in
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 39

micashist, quartzites, and gneisses of Paleozoic age

with higher temperatures of 235-240oC is predicted

(Serpen and Gülgör, 1995a). Na/K temperatures of

221-229oC (Guidi et al, 1990).

Hot waters in Kizildere have high concentrations of

Na, HCO3, B, and F, indicating a metamorphic origin

for the waters. All the hot waters in the Menderes

graben have approximately constant B/Na ratios

(Kurtman and Sâmilgil, 1975).

1968 - First well, KD-1, drilled to 540 m in a limestone

reservoir produced a water-steam mixture with a

temperature of 198oC, tapped a liquid-dominated

reservoir with 1.5-2% CO2. A deeper marble zone with

temperatures of 200-210oC was found by drilling 6

more wells; 16 wells drilled between 1968 and 1973

by the MTA Institute. Geochemical survey indicated

maximum temperatures of 220-240oC. 

The geothermal fluid produced from the deep wells is

saturated with CO2. Steam separated at 5 bars contains

15% CO2 by weight. The calculated saturation

pressure of this fluid at 200oC is 62.4 bars (Okandan,

1990). CO2 content is 10-20% with an average of 13%

at the inlet of the turbine.

The thermal waters of wells KD-1A, KD-6, KD-9, KD13, KD-14, and KD-16 exhibit sodium bicarbonate

composition. 

1972 - First long-term production test conducted. 

1974 - The MTA Institute built and installed a small

0.5 MWe pilot plant. With the assistance of the UN

and the Ministry of Agriculture, the MTA Institute set

up a pilot greenhouse.

1976 - Second long-term production test conducted. 

February 1984 - 20.4 MWe single flash power plant

began operation; constructed by GIE, Italy for the

Turkish Electricity Authority (TEK). 2.6 MWe of the

gross capacity is used by the gas-compressorextractors coupled directly to the turbine which results

in 18 MWe net energy input into the national

interconnected power grid (Okandan and Polat, 1986). 

The two-phase steam and water mixture produced from

the 6 wells at 15 kg/cm2 well-head pressure and 196-

207oC temperature is separated in well-head

separators. The water separated is drained and used

for heating the buildings and the greenhouse

constructed near the field. The field yields a hot

water-steam mixture which is flashed to 4 bar to obtain

steam. This results in 90% waste water (1500 m3/h),

with a pH value of 8.9 and high HCO3 content,

requiring a treatment method for its safe disposal. 

The plant was initially fed by 6 production wells: KD6, 7, 13, 14, 15, and 16, producing a total of
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 40

approximately 1600 t/h of geothermal fluid. Three

more wells (KD-20, 21, and 22) were drilled to

increase the steam production. The field has generated

an average net power of 7.5 MWe. 

1984 to 1990 - Power plant production decreased due

to CaCO3 scaling in the wells and reservoir; periodic

cleaning of the well bores in 3 to 6 month intervals

helped. However, decline to well flow rates even after

cleaning, indicate either a decrease in productivity

index due to scaling in fractures or due to a rapid

decline in reservoir pressure due to insufficient

recharge and strong interference between wells

(Okandan, 1988).

1985 and 1986 - 3 additional production wells KD-21,

KD-20, and KD-22 drilled to 892 m, 810 m, and 887 m

respectively to supplement declining production rates. 

Encountered temperatures of 201-204oC and flow rates

of 45.8-58.6 kg/s.

According to the SiO2 and Na-K-Ca geothermometers a

third reservoir with expected temperatures of 250-

260oC may exist in the field (Simsek, 1985).

1986 - KARBOGAZ Company producing 40,000 tons

of industrial food grade CO2 and dry ice began

operation.

End of 1989 - TEK announced that power output had

declined to a very low level and cleaning in wells

would start soon. On the average, wells show 50%

yearly decline (Okandan, 1988). 

1988 to 1994 - Northernmost wells have higher

temperatures; KD-14, 15, and 16 have undergone

evaporation. KD-13 has undergone first steam

condensation and then boiling, ending in the same

position after 10 years. KD-20 and 22 show the same

boiling trend as neighboring wells KD-14, 15, and 16. 

Boiling may not be sustainable and are intermittent

probably due to long shut downs of the power plant for

periodic scale removal. 

1990 - TEK and the Italian Electrical Company (ENEL)

began a project to minimize calcium carbonate scaling,

dispose of waste water, and assess the horizontal and

vertical boundaries of the geothermal field in order to

optimize its economical exploitation. 

Extensive calcium carbonate scale deposition required

frequent cleaning until use of the scale inhibitor

Dequest 2066 was begun. Though detailed information

regarding the outcome of the scale inhibition has not

been reported, scale is claimed to now be minimal.

1994 - Total dissolved solids (TDS) of the geothermal

fluid declined by 5% after a decade of exploitation. 

The degree of hot and cooler water mixing has

changed slightly. Reservoir temperatures did not
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 41

decrease.

The waste brine is discharged into the nearby River

Büyük Menderes which is used for irrigation and has a

minimum flow rate of 80,000 m3/h. High silica content

of approximately 290 ppm complicates reinjection and

high boron content of roughly 30 ppm restricts

discharge to the river. The boron content of the river

water must be kept to below 1 ppm which is the

maximum permissible concentration for the irrigation

of boron-sensitive plants. The boron selective resin

Amberlite IRA 743 boron removal method is estimated

to increase electricity production cost (includes capital

and O&M) by 1¢/kWh (Recepoglu and Beker, 1991).

NOTES

The capacity of the plant was limited to 20 MWe to

maintain the boron concentration below 1 mg/1 in the

Menderese River, due to the high concentration of

boron (~25 ppm) in the discharge water. Utilization of

the 150-200 MWe total potential of the field is directly

dependent on solving the boron problem. 

The next geothermal power plants planned for this

field will be double-flash cycle with 55 MWe

capacities since these are optimum in terms of cost and

specific steam consumption (Okandan and Polat,

1986).

Because of its chemical properties, the geothermal

fluid is used by Sarayköy Pamuklu Sanayii (Sarayköy

Textile Industries) for bleaching materials. Because of

the brilliant white obtained with the waste geothermal

fluid, textiles produced with material washed in this

way are in wide demand in foreign markets . 

Utilization of geothermal fluid is also cheaper than the

chemicals normally used in other bleaching processes

(Simsek, 1985).

Geothermal energy is also used for power generation,

greenhouses (5000 m2), and industrial process heat. 

Studies for heating the city of Denizli with discharge

fluid (140oC) from the power plant are underway.

Research has been conducted to remove

noncondensable gases from geothermal steam

upstream from the turbine to decrease the compressor

consumption and increase power plant efficiency. A

bench scale experimental unit was set up and tested in

the field (Günerhan and Coury, 1999). 

MTA is working on boron recovery in the field as well.

Denizli-Pamukkale-Yenice

LOCATION

In western Anatolia
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 42

STATUS

Preliminary identification/report

TEMPERATURE (°C) 36

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) —

POTENTIAL (MWt) —

CHRONOLOGY 

NOTES

Denizli-Tekke Hamam-Karahayit

LOCATION

In southwestern Anatolia south of the east-west

trending Büyük Menderes graben; situated on a

Neogene-filled basin surrounded by high topographic

level metamorphics of the Menderes massif. 

STATUS

Direct use -- developed

TEMPERATURE (°C) 70-232

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) —

POTENTIAL (MWt) —

CHRONOLOGY 

1966 - Geological, geophysical, and geochemical

studies carried out with support of the United Nations

Development Programme (UNDP). Studies showed the

existence of two large low-resistivity areas located

parallel to the extension of the hot-water

manifestations of Kizildere and Tekke Hamam, on the

northern and southern parts of the Büyük Menderes

River.

1967 - Geothermal gradient measurements and 1 deep

test and development hole (TH-1) drilled to 700 m;

produced steam-water mixtures from the metamorphic

reservoir; temperature of 116oC; flow rate is only 0.05

l/s; outlet temperature is 69.5oC; gas emission is

strong. TH-1 has a Na/K temperature of 232oC.

NOTES

Geothermal used for greenhouses (3000 m2) and

bathing and swimming.

Spectacular and widespread hot springs with

temperatures up to 100oC and a total discharge of

approximately 20 l/s are located at Tekke Hamam. The

hot springs show variable sodium bicarbonate sulfate

to sodium sulfate bicarbonate composition and TDS

between 0.08 and 0.12 eq/l. 

Tekke Hamam waters could originate from the

Kizildere waters through leaching of calcium sulfate

from the Neogene sediments, upon cooling, and

subsequent precipitation of calcium carbonate, upon

CO2 loss (Guidi et al, 1990).
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 43

Diyarbakir

LOCATION

In southeastern Turkey, southwest of Nemrut.

STATUS

Preliminary identification/report

TEMPERATURE (°C) —

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) —

POTENTIAL (MWt) —

CHRONOLOGY 

NOTES

Erzincan-Ilica

LOCATION

In the earthquake risk area along the active north

Anatolian fault (35.4o latitude, 39.3o longitude).

STATUS

Direct use -- developed

TEMPERATURE (°C) 30-40

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) —

POTENTIAL (MWt) —

CHRONOLOGY 

1985 - Exploration well E-1 drilled to 601 m;

encountered temperature of 30-40oC and flow rate of

11-12.5 kg/s.

1988 - TPAO drilled 2 exploration wells (Erzincan-1

and 2) to 799-801 m.

NOTES

Several 30oC hot water and mineral water springs exist

in this area and are used for balneology. 

Erzurum-Dumlu

LOCATION

In northeastern Turkey north of Nemrut (near 39.4o

latitude, 41.1o longitude).

STATUS

Preliminary identification/report

TEMPERATURE (°C) 37

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) —

POTENTIAL (MWt) —

CHRONOLOGY 

NOTES
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 44

Erzurum-Ilica-Pasinler

LOCATION

In northeastern Turkey northeast of Erzurum (39.4o

latitude, 41.1o longitude).

STATUS

Well(s) or hole(s) drilled

TEMPERATURE (°C) 38-80

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) —

POTENTIAL (MWt) —

CHRONOLOGY 

1985 - Exploration well, ED-1, drilled to 605 m;

encountered temperature of 48oC with a flow rate of 6

kg/s; 60oC estimated.

NOTES

Eskisehir

LOCATION

In western Anatolia northeast of Kütahya (near 39.0o

latitude, 28.4o longitude).

STATUS

Direct use -- developed

TEMPERATURE (°C) 36-80

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) —

POTENTIAL (MWt) —

CHRONOLOGY 

1986 - 2 wells drilled, E-2 and E-3; encountered

temperatures of 36oC and 45oC with flow rates of 6

kg/s for both. 

NOTES

Geothermal used for bathing and swimming and

district heating.

Gazligöl

LOCATION

In western Anatolia north of Afyon-Ömer-Gecek.

STATUS

Preliminary identification/report

TEMPERATURE (°C) —

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) —

POTENTIAL (MWt) —

CHRONOLOGY 

NOTES
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 45

Gözlek-Amasya

LOCATION

20 km southwest of the city of Amasya (40.3o latitude,

35.4o longitude).

STATUS

Well(s) or hole(s) drilled

TEMPERATURE (°C) 42-50

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) —

POTENTIAL (MWt) —

CHRONOLOGY 

1987 - 1 exploration well drilled to 400 m is producing

water with a 10.5 kg/s flow rate; 42oC wellhead

temperature.

NOTES

Istanbul-Termal

LOCATION

In northeastern Turkey north of the Sea of Marmara.

STATUS

Preliminary identification/report

TEMPERATURE (°C) 65

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) —

POTENTIAL (MWt) —

CHRONOLOGY 

NOTES

Izmir-Agamemnun

LOCATION

In western Anatolia (near 38.2o latitude, 27.0o

longitude).

STATUS

Feasibility study

TEMPERATURE (°C) 110

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) —

POTENTIAL (MWt) —

CHRONOLOGY 

1962 - Combined geophysical studies of hot-water

areas begun in order to develop geothermal field. 

NOTES

Feasibility study completed for the geothermal heating

of 25,000-34,000 dwellings, air-conditioning for 5,000

dwellings, and hot water.

The geothermally-heated sea water will be piped 46
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 46

km through 5 pumping stations. By using small

diameter pre-insulated epoxy fiberglass pipes for the

pipeline, only 5oC/km will be lost. The heating system

will be cyclic with 70/40oC clean water.

The treated sea water will be piped 5800 m to the

Cumali geothermal field and production wells. In this

area, titanium plate type heat exchangers will be used. 

The sea water will pass through the 500 mm-diameter

pipeline at a temperature of 110oC and a total flow

rate of 2330 m3/h. The annual average flow rate will

be 168 l/sec. 

Air conditioning will be produced using ammonia or

lithium bromide absorption units.

Four reinjection wells with an average depth of 500 m

will be located approximately 4 km from the

production wells. Downhole pumps, wellhead

pumping stations, and the heat exchange system will

connected and controlled by a special radio control

system which will adjust for the outside temperature

and loading factor. 

Process heat utilization for industries located on the

path of the main network (110oC of sea water, 105oC

clean water) supply will also exist (Merto•lu and

Basarir, 1995).

Izmir-Balçova

LOCATION

In western Anatolia; the wells and facilities are located

11 km southwest of the city of Izmir (38.2o latitude,

27.0o longitude).

STATUS

Direct use -- developed

TEMPERATURE (°C) 72-124

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) 17.8

POTENTIAL (MWt) 17.8

CHRONOLOGY 

1962 and 1963 - Resistivity, thermal probing, and self

potential surveys conducted (the first time a

geothermal area received systematic, scientific

delineation in Turkey); 3 wells drilled including the

first geothermal exploratory well in Turkey. First well

(S-1) drilled produced a mixture of hot water and

steam at 124oC at a depth of 40 m. S-2 and S-3/A were

drilled to 100 m and 140 m, with downhole

temperatures of 102oC, and 101oC respectively. S-3/A

did not flow. 

The single hot water manifestation, a spring, had a

temperature of 72oC. The survey revealed a fault zone

delineated by low resistivity and huge temperature
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 47

closures under 30-50 m-thick alluvium. 

Due to the high carbonate content and rapid scaling,

the field could not be used until 1981-82. 

1981 to 1983 - 16 wells, including 7 thermal gradient

and 9 production wells (100-150 m), were drilled;

encountered temperatures of 50oC to 126oC with flow

rates of 4-20 kg/s. Downhole heat exchanger were

used for the first time.

1982 - System of geothermally heated hotels, curing

center, swimming pools, and hot water began

operation; 9 wells produce 4,500,000 kcal/h for

surrounding hotels, buildings, and greenhouses. 

1983 - Geothermal heating for Dokuz Eylül

University, Medical Facility Campus and Hospital

Building (~ 30,000 m2) with a total capacity of 2.2

MWt began operation. Payback time on investment

was 6 months.

February 1987 - Heating for Turkey’s largest indoor

swimming pool began operation; capacity of

1,600,000 kcal/h.

1989 - 2 new wells (B-10 and B-11) drilled to 125 m;

encountered temperatures of 109oC and 114oC and

flow rates of 5 kg/s and 3 kg/s.

September 1989 - Geothermal heating of a 11,000 m2

curing center began operations with a capacity of

1,200,000 kcal/h.

February 1992 - Heating system for an additional

110,000 m2 (1100 dwellings) plus hot water for the

Medical Faculty Hospital at Dokuz Eylül University

was installed.

November 1992 - Additional system with capacity of

6,900,000 kcal/h (9.3 MWt) began running.

NOTES

Geothermal used for greenhouses (60,000 m2), bathing

and swimming, and district heating. 

Izmir-Balçova Thermal Facilities includes hotels,

swimming pools, and a curing center composed of

1500 dwellings; capacity is 7 MWt.

The total capacity of the systems fed by the Balçova

geothermal field is 17.8 MWt.

Izmir-Cesme

LOCATION

In western Anatolia (near 38.2o latitude, 27.0o

longitude).
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 48

STATUS

Well(s) or hole(s) drilled

TEMPERATURE (°C) 56

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) —

POTENTIAL (MWt) —

CHRONOLOGY

1974 - Well I-1 drilled for direct heat utilization;

encountered temperature of 56oC with a flow rate of 42

kg/s.

NOTES

Izmir-Dikili-Bergama

LOCATION

In western Anatolia; 70 km north of Izmir; young

volcanoes are widespread in this area (39.0o latitude,

27.0o longitude).

STATUS

Direct use -- developed

TEMPERATURE (°C) 90-200

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) 56

POTENTIAL (MWt) 56-224

CHRONOLOGY 

1989 - MTA drilled well DK-1 to a depth of 1500 m

found temperatures up to 171oC with variable degrees

of permeability; well was dry.

The MTA Institute and JICA jointly conducted

geological, geochemical, and geophysical exploration

(gravity, CSAMT, Misse a-la masse)

1995 - A geothermal heating district (7,000 dwellings)

and air-conditioning integrated system (1,000

dwellings) is under construction (56 MWt). 

Feasibility study completed for geothermal heating of

25,000 dwellings, air-conditioning for 5,000

dwellings, and hot water (168 MWt).

NOTES

Geothermal is used for heat and hot water and airconditioning.

Hot springs with temperatures of 41-98oC and flow

rates of 20 kg/s are present. 

Izmir-Seferihiser

LOCATION

In western Anatolia along the Aegean coast 40 km

southwest of Izmir; on the southwest extension of the

Çubuklu Dag graben (38.0o latitude, 26.5o longitude).
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 49

STATUS

Direct use -- developed

TEMPERATURE (°C) 65-230

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) —

POTENTIAL (MWe) 6

CHRONOLOGY 

1963 - Subsequent to preliminary investigations in the

Agamemnun area, 3 wells were drilled; 2 of these

yielded hot water and steam for the first time in

Turkey. Work was temporarily discontinued due to

encrustation in the wells. 

1967 - The MTA Institute began geothermal surveys of

the area as an integral part of the Geothermal Energy

Project of Western Turkey. Included geological

studies on 1:25:000 and 1:10:000 scales covering 750

km2 and 50 km2 respectively, numerous hydrochemical

analyses, and 18 gradient and 2 deep well drillings. 

Two deep wells produced hot water-steam mixtures

with a blow out. 

1971 - Drilling began; 2 deep bore holes drilled, SH-I

and SH-II. SH-I was drilled to 442 m in the Yeniköy

formation and encountered a temperature of 107oC. 

SH-II was bored in the Doganbey horst to 1232 m and

encountered a temperature of 43oC.

1972 and 1973 - 18 gradient drill holes were

opened–17 in Graben-I southwest of Çubuklu Dag

graben and one in Graben-II; found three major

anomalies. Showed that the field has considerable

geothermal potential which is further supported by the

blow out of No. G-2 gradient hole at a depth of 85.45

m in 1972; temperature at 70 m was 137oC. 

Surveys established the existence of two geothermal

regions in the area–the Cumali-Tuzla and the KavakliOrta-Tepe. The Cumali-Tuzla region contains

numerous hot water springs with comparatively high

temperatures. The Kavakli-Orta-Tepe region is located

around the rhyolite domes and includes five lowtemperature springs. 

1982 and 1987 - 5 shallow wells drilled (151 to 315

m); encountered temperatures from 75oC to 153oC with

variable degrees of permeability; one well was dry. 

Temperature measurements indicate sea water mixing

from southwest–75oC was measured in well G-12A;

153oC was measured to the northeast towards Cumali;

230oC estimated. 

Second deep well drilled to 200 m; did not encounter a

second reservoir with higher temperatures as expected. 

Downhole heat exchangers are now set in 3 wells. 
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 50

System tested under conditions with 1 well and a

three-loop downhole heat exchanger obtained a 6

MWe capacity (Karul, 1988). 

NOTES

Geothermal used for greenhouses and bathing and

swimming. In addition, the field has potential for at

least 6 MWe of power generation. 

The most important belt in the area is a northeastsouthwest trending graben formed at the beginning of

the Tertiary. Paleozoic metamorphic schists and

Upper Crustaceous clayey schists, claystone,

limestone, serpentine, and diabases occupy the

southeast end of the graben, while Upper Crustaceous

flysch with dominant limestone facies occur at the

northwest end. 

Geothermal indices include five groups of springs with

a total approximate flow of 110 l/sec and a maximum

temperature of 82oC (Kurtman and Sâmilgil, 1975). 

Spilite forms the reservoir rock while Neogene

sandstones, conglomerates, and claystones form the

caprock.

Tectonics are very active in this area. Faults generally

strike northeast-southwest and they are transversed by

relatively younger faults striking northwest-southeast. 

At their intersection numerous hot water springs can

be found, e.g., Doganbey, Tuzla, Karakoç, and Cumali,

originating from the Izmir flysch. Hot water springs in

this area have high NaCl contents (Esder and Simsek,

1975).

Kayseri

LOCATION

In central Turkey

STATUS

Preliminary identification/report

TEMPERATURE (°C) —

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) —

POTENTIAL (MWt) —

CHRONOLOGY 

NOTES

Kirsehir

LOCATION

In central Turkey.

STATUS

Direct use -- developed
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 51

TEMPERATURE (°C) —

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) 18.25

POTENTIAL (MWt) 18.25-83.25

CHRONOLOGY 

March 1994 - District heating system began operation

for 1,800 dwellings. The annual geothermal water

average needed is 240 l/sec; 20 l/sec of the water is

used in thermal facilities; the rest is reinjected into the

reservoir. The system had a payback period of four

years.

1995 - Feasibility study completed to provide heat and

hot water to an additional 6,500 dwellings; 65 MWt.

NOTES

Peak energy demand for each house is approximately

8000 kcal/h at -12oC outside design temperature, much

higher than the Paris geothermal district heating

application.

Average flow rate for the whole year is 240 l/sec. In

this system, 97% of the energy is supplied by

geothermal, 3% by fuel-oil. 

The temperature in the city center distribution network

is only 0.4oC/km. The heating system works with

54-60oC/42oC cycling temperatures. Frequency

converters control the city circulation pumps. 

Kirsehir-Kaman

LOCATION

In central Turkey.

STATUS

Direct use -- developed

TEMPERATURE (°C) 34

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) —

POTENTIAL (MWt) —

CHRONOLOGY 

1985 - Well K-1 drilled; encountered a temperature of

34oC with a flow rate of 5 kg/s.

NOTES

Geothermal is used for bathing.

Kirsehir-Karakurt

LOCATION

In central Turkey.

STATUS

Preliminary identification/report

TEMPERATURE (°C) 50

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) —
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 52

POTENTIAL (MWt) —

CHRONOLOGY 

NOTES

Kirsehir-Mahmutlu

LOCATION

In central Turkey.

STATUS

Preliminary identification/report

TEMPERATURE (°C) 62

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) —

POTENTIAL (MWt) —

CHRONOLOGY 

NOTES

Kirsehir-Terme

LOCATION

In central Turkey.

STATUS

Direct use -- developed

TEMPERATURE (°C) 28-40

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) —

POTENTIAL (MWt)

CHRONOLOGY 

1986 - Wells KT-2 and KT-3 drilled; encountered

temperatures of 28oC and 40oC with a flow rate of 45

kg/s for both.

NOTES

Geothermal used for bathing.

Kütahya-Gediz

LOCATION

In western Anatolia (near 39.0o latitude, 28.4o

longitude).

STATUS

Direct use -- developed

TEMPERATURE (°C) 78

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) 0.61

POTENTIAL (MWt) 0.61

CHRONOLOGY 

November 1987 - Geothermal heat for spas and hotels

began; 525,000 kcal/h capacity.
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 53

NOTES

Geothermal is used for heat and hot water.

Kütahya-Simav-Eynal-Citgöl-Nasa

LOCATION

In western Anatolia; Simav graben is located north of

the city of Simav; identified geothermal areas–Eynal,

Citgöl, and Nasa–are located at the northern part of the

graben (39.0o latitude, 28.4o longitude).

STATUS

Direct use -- developed

TEMPERATURE (°C) 32-236

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) 68.2

POTENTIAL (MWt) 100.4

CHRONOLOGY 

1985 to 1988 - The MTA Institute drilled 6 wells: four

in Eynal, one in Citgöl, and one in Nasa; 5 wells to

depths of 100-725 m found temperatures of 162-171oC

with varying degrees of permeability. 

The deep wells in Eynal (700-800m) had a flow rate of

73 kg/s. The other wells in Eynal, Citgöl, and Nasa are

shallower wells used for hotel heating, balneological

purposes, and greenhouses.

Waters from eight hot springs were analyzed and

geothermometric estimates of reservoir temperatures

ranged between 157oC and 236oC (Erisen, 1989). 

March 1991 - Construction began on Simav

Geothermal District Heating System.

December 1992 - Simav Geothermal District Heating

System began operating; heats 3500-6500 dwellings

with a total installed capacity of 33-66 MWt. 

1994 - Simav-Eynal Hotel began to be heated

geothermally; 1,900,000 kcal/h capacity (2.2 MWt);

system includes the thermal facilities, hotel, and a

greenhouse.

1995 - Addition of 1,500 dwellings geothermal heating

district to existing 2,000 dwellings; under

construction; 12.2 MWt. Feasibility study completed

for 80,000 m2 greenhouse; 20 MWt. 

NOTES

Simav District Heating System is the largest

geothermal district heating system in Turkey.

Geothermal is used for district heating and a

greenhouse. 

Simav geothermal field is among the 15 most

important geothermal fields in Turkey. 
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 54

The geothermal fluid is transported from a reservoir 4

km away, used for district heating, and then 80% of it

is transported back 4 km for reinjection at 0.2 bar; the

balance is used for balneology. The temperature loss

is only 1oC over 4 km. The scaling and corrosion

problems have been solved by an inhibitor (5 g per 1

m3) epoxy fiberglass pipe, 316 stainless steel plate

type heat exchanged and partially by CO2 and H2S

separation. 

At the wellhead, there is a separator and a kind of

direct contact heat exchanger which produce 95oC

geothermal water with a large flow rate and a constant

temperature. The geothermal water is injected into the

separator and condensed from steam to water. The

geothermal fluid has a temperature of 143oC and a

return temperature of 40oC. 

The separator is used as a kind of condenser. Effective

separation pressure is about 1.5 bar.

The system is fed by a 720-m deep well by 143oC fluid

with a flow rate of 70 l/sec. The heating system of

dwellings with radiators works with 80oC/45oC cycling

temperature clean water.

Sixty percent of the US$ 2.2 million investment for the

first stage (3,500 houses) and US$ 4.2 million for the

second stage (6,500 houses) in the system is provided

by an autofinance system whereby the citizens pay the

geothermal heating cost two years in advance and

receive free heat for three years. The remaining 40%

of the system is supported by MENR (US$ 1 million). 

The project payback period is 6 years. 

The scaling and corrosion problems have been

absolutely solved by means of a chemical phosphonate

inhibitor and epoxy fiber glass pipe and stainless steel

plate heat exchanger. 

Each dwelling paid $US15 per month in 1994 for heat

and hot water.

Kütahya-Yoncali

LOCATION

In western Anatolia (near 39.0o latitude, 28.4o

longitude).

STATUS

Direct use -- developed

TEMPERATURE (°C) —

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) 0.93

POTENTIAL (MWt) 0.93

CHRONOLOGY 

1995 - Geothermal heating of Yoncali thermal

facilities under construction.
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 55

NOTES

Kuzuluk-Sakarya

LOCATION

South of the city of Akyazi in a very fertile region of

northwestern Turkey; 150 km east-southeast of

Istanbul and 50 km south of the Black Sea; in the

western part of the north Anatolian fault (40.4o

latitude, 30.4o longitude).

STATUS

Direct use -- developed

TEMPERATURE (°C) 20

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) 11.2

POTENTIAL (MWt) 11.2

CHRONOLOGY 

1987 - 1 exploration well, AK-1, drilled for a local

enterprise to 230 m; encountered water of 86oC with a

40 kg/s flow rate; well equipped with a downhole heat

exchanger.

1994 - Currently, only the small but very picturesque

Çökek Hamamlari thermal baths are used. A new spa

is under construction (Greber, 1994).

1995 - Feasibility and engineering designs to heat and

provide hot water to 1,500 dwellings completed; 11.2

MWt.

NOTES

The circulation of hot and cold mineral waters at

Kuzuluk is closely related to major fracture zones. In

contrast to other systems, however, the tectonic

structures around Kuzuluk are still seismically very

active. The release of large amounts of CO2 is

probably related to the seismically active tectonics. 

The tectonic setting is dominated by the dextral North

Anatolian strike-slip fault (NAF), which has been

active as a transform fault separating the two minor

plates of the Black Sea and Turkey since the late

Miocene (McKenzie, 1972; Sengör, 1979). 

The area around the Kuzuluk basin is rich in normally

mineralized spring waters of essentially Ca-HCO3

type. More than 40 cold (~20oC) and hot (up to 55oC)

mineral waters are located in the Kuzuluk basin, an

area of less than 3 km2. The springs are restricted to a

basin (~115 masl) surrounded to the north, east, and

south by the Keremali Mountains (highest peak:1543

masl). 

The Kuzuluk mineral waters can be divided into

“marginal” and “central” waters for geographical and

chemical/physical reasons. The marginal springs

emerge at the margin of the Kuzuluk basin and are
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 56

characterized by low mean temperatures (24.2oC) but

high mean electrical conductivities (4110:S/cm). The central waters (including the borehole samples Kuz1

and Kuz2) have a higher mean temperature (40.8oC)

but lower mean conductivities (3200 :S/cm). 

The total discharge of all springs is small, about 103

l/min; the artesian outflow of the now unutilized and

closed thermal water wells is very high (2520 l/min)

compared to the natural spring flow and may only be a

short-term discharge. 

The two borehole samples, Kuz1 and Kuz2, coming

from a depth of 90 m with temperatures of 84oC, do not

differ chemically or isotopically from the central

spring waters which have temperatures of 36 to 55oC. 

Therefore, a heat loss of about 40oC occurs during

their ascent through the cap rocks. 

Two boreholes (160 and 250 m) found artesian water

(up to 6 and 2.5 bar) at more than 80oC in limestones

and micaschists beneath 90 m cap rocks consisting of

low permeable sediments and volcanic rocks (Sentürk

and Demirel, 1987). The most reliable reservoir

temperatures can be calculated with a chalcedony

geothermometer for the central waters that have very

similar SiO2-contents. The calculated temperatures are

about 120oC.

Manisa-Kursunlu

LOCATION

In central western Anatolia.

STATUS

Preliminary identification/report

TEMPERATURE (°C) 78

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) —

POTENTIAL (MWt) —

CHRONOLOGY 

NOTES

Manisa-Salihli-Alasehir

LOCATION

In central western Anatolia.

STATUS

Direct use -- developed

TEMPERATURE (°C) 210

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) 0.26

POTENTIAL (MWt) 0.26-47.26

CHRONOLOGY 
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 57

November 1989 - Heat for 50 separate hotel villas

began operating; total capacity is 220,000 kcal/h; 0.26

MWt.

1995 - Addition of 7,000 dwellings heating and 1,000

dwellings air-conditioning; under construction; 47

MWt.

NOTES

Geothermal is used for district heating.

Manisa-Urganli

LOCATION

In central western Anatolia.

STATUS

Preliminary identification/report

TEMPERATURE (°C) 90-150

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) —

POTENTIAL (MWt) —

CHRONOLOGY 

NOTES

Nevsehir-Acigöl

LOCATION

In Central Anatolia.

STATUS

Preliminary identification/report

TEMPERATURE (°C) —

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) —

POTENTIAL (MWt) —

CHRONOLOGY 

NOTES

Geological and geophysical studies indicated the

presence of an active heat source composed of young

extrusives at shallow depth. Detailed studies of a Hot

Dry Rock project are planned (Karul, 1988).

Nevsehir-Kozakli

LOCATION

In Central Anatolia.

STATUS

Feasibility study

TEMPERATURE (°C) 42-95

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) —

POTENTIAL (MWt) 11.1
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 58

CHRONOLOGY 

1987 - Feasibility study and engineering design

completed for 1,100 to 3,500 dwellings, hot water

supply for 16,000 dwellings, and a 10,000 m2

greenhouse heating system prepared. The project is

ready for investment.

NOTES

The total discharge of all natural hot springs,

distributed over an area of roughly 0.5 km2 is 91 l/s

with a temperature of 42-92oC.

Rize-Ayder

LOCATION

In northeastern Turkey near the Black Sea.

STATUS

Direct use -- developed

TEMPERATURE (°C) 55

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) 0.24

POTENTIAL (MWt) 0.24

CHRONOLOGY 

1986 - Well AK-2 drilled; encountered a temperature

of 55oC with a flow rate of 14 kg/s.

NOTES

Geothermal is used for bathing, a curing center,

district heating and hot water system; total installed

capacity of 210,000 kcal/h.

Samsun-Havza

LOCATION

In north central Turkey south of the Black Sea. 

STATUS

Direct use -- developed

TEMPERATURE (°C) 54

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) 0.07

POTENTIAL (MWt) 0.07

CHRONOLOGY 

1986 - Well SHC-1 drilled; encountered a temperature

of 54oC with a flow rate of 55 kg/s. 

October 1988 - Floor heating for spas with an area of

1000 m2 began operation; capacity of 6000 kcal/h.

NOTES

Geothermal is used for bathing and district heating.
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 59

Samsun-Kocapinar

LOCATION

In north central Turkey near the Black Sea.

STATUS

Direct use -- developed

TEMPERATURE (°C) 38

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) —

POTENTIAL (MWt) —

CHRONOLOGY 

1986 - Well KP-1 drilled; encountered temperature of

38oC with a flow rate of 35 kg/s.

NOTES

Geothermal is used for bathing.

Seben

LOCATION

In western Anatolia west of Kizilcahamam.

STATUS

Preliminary identification/report

TEMPERATURE (°C) —

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) —

POTENTIAL (MWt) —

CHRONOLOGY 

NOTES

Sicakçermik-Sivas

LOCATION

In north central Turkey 22 km west of Sivas city (39.4o

latitude, 36.4o longitude).

STATUS

Direct use -- developed

TEMPERATURE (°C) 36-70

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) 0.17

POTENTIAL (MWt) 0.17

CHRONOLOGY 

1976 - 1 exploration well (C-1) drilled to 240 m

produced 48oC water with a 45 kg/s flow rate; 70oC

estimated. 

December 1993 - Geothermal heating and hot water

system covering an area of 2100 m2 including a

complete thermal water and scale deposition

prevention system began operating.

NOTES
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 60

Geothermal is used for heat and hot water.

Hot water springs with 36-45oC temperature and 10

kg/s flow, are located along faults that extend in northsouth and northwest-southeast directions.

Süleymanli

LOCATION

In southeastern Turkey 

STATUS

Preliminary identification/report

TEMPERATURE (°C) —

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) —

POTENTIAL (MWt) —

CHRONOLOGY 

NOTES

Tokat Resadiye

LOCATION

In north central Turkey southeast of Havza.

STATUS

Feasibility study

TEMPERATURE (°C) —

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) —

POTENTIAL (MWt) 7.16

CHRONOLOGY 

NOTES

Feasibility study completed for the geothermal heating

of 1,200 dwellings.

Tokat-Sulusaray

LOCATION

In north central Turkey southeast of Havza.

STATUS

Direct use -- developed

TEMPERATURE (°C) 27-54

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) —

POTENTIAL (MWt) —

CHRONOLOGY 

1986 - 3 wells drilled, SS-2, 3, and 5; encountered

temperatures of 53oC, 54oC, and 27oC with flow rates

of 2, 21, and 9 kg/s respectively.

NOTES

Geothermal is used for bathing.
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 61

Van-Zilan

LOCATION

In eastern Anatolia north of LakeVan; 15 km north of

the city of Ercis (39.0o latitude, 43.2o longitude).

STATUS

Well(s) or hole(s) drilled

TEMPERATURE (°C) 20-220

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt)

POTENTIAL (MWt)

CHRONOLOGY 

1988 - The MTA Institute began exploring the field; 2

wells drilled: 1 deep (1196 m), 1 shallow (394 m);

both wells encountered hot water; 105oC measured,

220oC estimated; flow rate of 35 kg/s.

1989 - The MTA Institute drilled exploration well ZD1 to 1172 m; well was dry.

NOTES

A prefeasibility study was started for district heating

for the town of Ercis.

Hot springs with temperatures of 20-78oC are present.

Yozgat-Bogazliyan

LOCATION

In central Turkey southeast of Ankara.

STATUS

Direct use -- developed

TEMPERATURE (°C) 46

INSTALLED CAPACITY (MWt) —

POTENTIAL (MWt) —

CHRONOLOGY 

1987 - Well BB-2 drilled; encountered a temperature

of 46oC with a flow rate of 50 kg/s.

NOTES

Geothermal is used for bathing and swimming.
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 62

Turkey is facing an ever increasing demand for power in

the coming decades. The country’s installed capacity is

expected to almost triple in the next 10 years to 65,069

MWe, and to more than quadruple in the next 20 years

to 109,218 MWe. 

The development of Turkey’s high-enthalpy geothermal

resources suitable for power generation, estimated at

4,000-4,500 MWe, and its low-enthalpy resources

estimated at 32,000 MWt which could be developed for

district heating and other direct uses, could help the

country to:

• diversify its energy sources,

• ameliorate pollution,

• offset its need to import gas, and

• improve its balance of payments.

To facilitate this, however, legislation specific to

geothermal resource development should be developed.

Conclusion
Geothermal Resources in Turkey Report No. INEEL/EXT-99-01282 63

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