Eksim Energy completes part of Turkey’s second-largest PV park

The first phase, 45 MW, of the Şanlıurfa Viranşehir solar park in southeastern Turkey started commercial operation. Eksim Energy won a power purchase agreement and a 30-year concession for the 191.4 MW facility at a renewable energy auction in 2022.

Turkey’s solar power capacity growth has been massive over the past decade, especially in comparison with most other countries in Southeastern Europe. One of the key drivers are the government’s renewable energy auctions under a mechanism called Renewable Energy Zones – REZ or, in Turkish, YEKA. One giant facility from the fourth round for solar power, conducted, is taking shape. Eksim Energy (Enerji) revealed that it commissioned the first 45 MW in peak capacity in its Şanlıurfa Viranşehir solar park.

The company based in Istanbul has won a power purchase agreement (PPA) and a 30-year concession in 2022. The facility of 191.4 MW in peak capacity will be in the country’s southeast, in Şanlıurfa province. Currently it would be the second-biggest solar park in Turkey.

The firm, part of Eksim Holding, pointed out that it has cleared rock from land in the area to make it suitable for agriculture for the local population in Viranşehir.

The PV plant is in an area of 280 hectares. It is divided into lots 2, 6 and 10 from the YEKA GES-4 auction, each with 50 MW in grid connection capacity.

Eksim Energy plans 1.5 GW growth within five years

Eksim Energy intends to add almost 1.5 GW in renewable energy capacity at home and abroad by 2029, and surpass 2.2 GW.

Recently the company built a 5 MW solar power plant as an auxiliary unit for its 75 MW Balıkesir Susurluk wind farm. The hybrid power plant is in the Marmara region. The plan is to increase the PV segment by 6.8 MW.

Kalyon’s projects set to push Şanlıurfa Viranşehir facility to fourth place by size

Eksim Energy has bought the solar panels for Şanlıurfa Viranşehir from Kalyon PV. Its affiliate Kalyon Enerji won units 5, 7, 8 of an equal size in the same auction – in connection terms. Total estimated peak capacity is 195 MW. The lots are in the same province.

Kalyon has built and operates the largest PV plant in Turkey, Konya Karapınar. It has a 1 GW connection, translating to a maximum of 1.35 GW in direct current.

Moreover, at the last auction the company secured land together with a PPA and contract for difference (CfD) for a project of 385 MW in connection capacity.

Notably, one major solar power plant from YEKA GES-4 is online since last month and another is nearing completion.