Turkey: Energy Shortages caused by unspecified technical problems and harsh winter

greenspun.com : LUSENET : TimeBomb 2000 (Y2000) : One Thread

Ersumer reacts against criticism on energy shortages

 Energy minister says that the current difficulties do not stem from a shortage of electricity but rather from technical failures at facilities in Eskisehir and Ankara's harsh winter conditions

Ankara - TDN Parliament Bureau

Energy Minister Cumhur Ersumer of the Motherland Party (ANAP) reacted to criticism directed against him regarding the current energy shortage.

Speaking before ANAP's parliamentary group about the energy cuts conducted at regular intervals through last week, Ersumer said that the problem stems from technical failures in facilities in Eskisehir and the harsh winter conditions pervading Ankara. He additionally claimed that the Ankara Municipality uses too much natural gas. Therefore, Ersumer stated, the problem has nothing to do with a shortage of electricity.

The energy minister also argued that the problem is not a newly emerging phenomenon, saying that it had besieged the country in the past as well. He noted that the real problem stems from a lack of investment in this field. Ersumer also stated that all necessary measures have been taken in order to prevent Turkey from suffering these same problems again at least until 2020 and noted that deals have been signed concerning the construction of 28 new dams.

Ersumer explained to the ANAP group that both the Council of State and the State Planning Institute (DPT) had acted in the past to prevent investment in energy facilities, but that a recent constitutional amendment had removed the obstacles to the needed investment.

Ersumer also asserted that a nuclear power plant project will go ahead despite criticism, noting that similar criticism had been directed against construction of both the bridge over the Bosporus and Keban Dam.

link

http://www.turkishdailynews.com/FrTDN/latest/headline.htm

-- Carl Jenkins (Somewherepress@aol.com), February 03, 2000


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