Cement maker installs largest self-consumption PV plant in Turkey

OYAK Cement built a solar power plant of 115.5 MW in peak capacity and a 97.8 MW connection in Beypazarı. It is Turkey’s largest self-consumption photovoltaic system for industrial production.

After commissioning a solar power plant of 9 MW in peak capacity last year at its plant in Mardin in southeastern Turkey, OYAK Cement (OYAK Çimento) made a giant decarbonization leap with another facility in Ankara province. The new PV system for self-consumption in Beypazarı has 115.5 MW in peak capacity and 97.8 MW in connection capacity.

The new facility is the largest of its kind in a single location in Turkey in the industrial production segment. OYAK Cement, based in the capital city, said the solar park would lift the share of renewables in its total energy use to 25%.

Turkish Electricity Distribution Corp. (TEDAŞ) issued a provisional approval, marking the launch of operation at full capacity, the company said. The PV plant spans 150 hectares and comprises 211,000 panels.

The Beypazarı PV plant includes two million meters of cables and 4,900 tons of steel

According to the update, it includes two million meters of cables and 4,900 tons of steel. OYAK Cement expects the system to generate 182 GWh per year. It would displace carbon dioxide emissions equivalent to the annual absorption of 3.9 million trees.

Together with its affiliate CIMPOR Global, the company operates within Taiwan-based TCC Group Holdings. The Beypazarı project confirms the commitment of OYAK Cement to sustainability, clean energy and zero emissions, the announcement reads. The company added it would continue investing in low-carbon technology and renewable energy.

At the end of March, Turkey hosted 26.5 GW of solar power capacity and 15 GW of wind power, out of 125 GW overall, the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources recently said.