Since that period, the Turkish government has been working to meet the rapidly growing demand for energy while mitigating the adverse impacts from burning domestic lignite. It is a credit to the technical capabilities of the Turkish Electric Authority that they have been successful in burning such a low quality fuel as the mainstay of their thermal power production. However, this has led to substantial problems in meeting air quality requirements, as well as in disposing of the ash. However, faced with the enormity of the task of adding FGD systems to existing plants and plants under development, the government has continually delayed the implementation of the program. Aggressive development of the country s abundant hydroelectric and wind energy resources are a big part of the solution.
Turkey also faces a severe shortfall in generating capacity in the very near future.
Turkey has recently joined the European Customs Union and faces the enviable prospect of several years, and probably several decades, of strong economic growth.