Gaziantep-based MB Holding is building one of Europe’s major geothermal power plant (GPP) projects in Croatia. After Croatia, MB’s next stop will be Georgia.
Gaziantep-based MB Holding, which has been active in construction, energy, medical textiles, perlite, greenhouse farming, and tourism for nearly 50 years, is building one of Europe’s major geothermal power plant (GPP) projects in Croatia. Having established Turkey’s first privately owned geothermal power plant, MB Holding is now focusing on projects abroad.
MB Holding’s next stop after Croatia will be Georgia. MB Holding Chairman and President of the International Geothermal Energy Association, Muharrem Balat, explained how they are seeking to further utilize geothermal energy resources. MB Holding, which utilizes geothermal energy in greenhouse farming operations through its company “Sultan Sera,” exports half of its tomatoes. MB Holding is currently researching dried fruit and vegetables. The facility, planned to be built on a 195-acre site, will claim to be the largest thermal project in the sector.
Following a conference he gave in Istanbul, he explained the opening of Croatia’s doors, which aims to meet 35 percent of its electricity needs from renewable sources by 2020: “I was invited to a conference in Istanbul to explain how DORA-1, which we established in the Aydın region, came about. At the conference, we explained how Dora-1 came about. I have a friend in Croatia who is interested in these issues. They had previously explored this issue and even established a company to see if they could generate 4 megawatts. No one had the courage to invest. After I spoke, he came to me with a translator and said, “We have this idea. Would you be interested?” Thus began our Croatian venture. Balat explained that they faced some challenges because it was the first of its kind in Croatia, but despite this, they persevered undaunted. “The first power plant has an investment of €30 million. Geothermal investments are somewhat risky. But if it operates efficiently and properly, it’s a very beneficial and feasible power plant. Our €30 million power plant will pay for itself in four years. This is because they have higher incentives. For example, they offer more incentives than in Turkey.”
“GEOTHERMAL IS MORE VALUABLE THAN OIL”
Balat announced that they will visit Georgia once Croatia is back on track and that they have also received an invitation from Georgia. Muharrem Balat explained that the importance of geothermal power plants is only now being recognized, saying, “There wasn’t much interest in geothermal power before. Renewable energy sources are just starting to come to the fore. Turkey also has these in the Aegean region. Perhaps by 2020, we will reach 1,500-200 megawatts in Turkey.” Balat emphasized that geothermal resources, when used effectively, are a never-ending energy source, saying, “Turkey’s 20-25% of the energy needs can only be met through hydraulic energy. All the remaining energy needs can be met through rainfall, dams, and so on. The more we can reduce our oil consumption, the more we can benefit our country. This geothermal energy is even more valuable than oil. Geothermal is like an unbloomed rose. You extract oil, and the reserves there deplete over time. If you extract water from underground with geothermal energy and re-press it a kilometer further down, it heats up underground and comes back up again.”
“WE WILL ALSO INVEST IN THE HEALTH SECTOR”
Balat, who informed that they draw 5,000 tons of water per hour underground to generate geothermal energy and then reinject it, stated that they plan to use 100 tons of this water in the thermal tourism sector they are planning to establish. Muharrem Balat provided the following information about the facility they plan to build on a 195-acre site: “With this thermal project, already poised to be the largest in the sector, we will revitalize the historical Akharaka hot springs. We will take people away from the classical four-walled thermal baths and into the thermal baths built among olive trees in the magnificent Aegean air, allowing them to purify themselves from psychological and physical ailments while surrounded by nature.”
“SULTAN SERA’S TOMATOES ARE ENTERING EUROPE WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION”
Muharrem Balat, who carries out geothermal energy in greenhouse farming activities with the company “Sultan Sera” and stated that the greenhouse is heated by environmentally friendly geothermal sources, thus eliminating carbon emissions during heating, said, “We built an exemplary greenhouse. For example, no pesticides are used in this greenhouse to kill pests. There are only tomatoes right now, so we built that greenhouse just for tomatoes. We are able to rank first in Europe without obtaining a permit. This is because we do not use chemicals and because we do not emit carbon. We export mainly to the Netherlands. We also provide 50 percent of our production to the domestic market.” Noting that the Aydın region is very productive, Balat explained his plans as follows: “The Aydın region is a very fertile region. We are planning to establish a drying facility here for fruits and vegetables such as figs, strawberries, tomatoes, and peppers.”
