The 10th IICEC Energy Conference of the Sabancı University was organised
Ms. Güler Sabancı, the Founding Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Sabancı University:
“3 times growth was achieved in the installed power capacity thanks to more than 100 billion USD investment in the electricity industry.”
“A model of public-industry-university collaboration in energy: Success Triangle”
Hosted by İstanbul International Centre of Energy and Climate (IICEC) of the Sabancı University, the 10th IICEC Energy Conference, in which the Turkish introduction of the World Energy Outlook 2019 Report was also made, was held on 20.12.2019, Friday in İstanbul.
Ms. Güler Sabancı, the Founding Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Sabancı University, said, “Today, we are launching the 10th conference of IICEC on the 20th anniversary of the Sabancı University, which is worthy of being called an International Research Centre,” in her speech at the opening of the conference. She stated she was glad to host the Turkish launch of the World Energy Outlook, which is prepared by the International Energy Agency on a yearly basis and is regarded as a reference guide for the world’s leaders and industry once again. Ms. Güler Sabancı noted, “The sharing of this reference guideline under the roof of the IICEC is a particular source of pride for us.”
Stating that substantial progress had been made on the Turkey Energy Outlook study that the IICEC had been working on for a long period of time, and which had been achieved as a result of comprehensive modelling, Ms. Güler Sabancı also noted:
“I would like to give you a piece of good news here. We will announce this study, conducted in accordance with the instructions of Dr. Fatih Birol in the upcoming year. This study will be a “first” for Turkey. The IICEC is conducting this study under a “common sense” methodology, with valuable contributions from all industrial stakeholders.
When it is completed, we will have put into practice an inestimable study for the future of our country and the energy industry, which covers the period to the year 2040. It will present the long term and whole picture, and will contribute to important political, investment and decision-making processes.”
OVER 100 BILLION USD INVESTMENT WAS MADE IN THE ELECTRICITY INDUSTRY
Reminding everyone that the actions of all regulatory and decision making authorities of the energy industry, and particularly the Ministry of Energy, had strategic importance, Ms. Güler Sabancı made the following statement:
“The 3 times enhancement of our installed power with over 100 billion USD investment in the electricity industry, the breakthroughs in the field of renewable energy under the Renewable Energy Resource Area (YEKA) model, the strong increase we have achieved in the share of domestic resources in electricity generation, the operational excellence and supply quality acquisitions are all highly important developments for the future of our industry. However, we still have many actions to take ahead. Pricing is important both for the supply and demand for electricity generation, exceeding 300 terawatt hours per year. We must keep studying the predictability and financial sustainability for existing and new investments. We are supposed to operate the energy industry more effectively in each phase, including consumption. Additionally, we must support the technologies which will contribute to energy efficiency and minimisation of carbon density. We believe that these areas must be focused on in the upcoming periods with the collaboration of all stakeholders.
PUBLIC-UNIVERSITY-INDUSTRY COLLABORATION MODEL: SUCCESS TRIANGLE
Stating “we are proceeding to a rapidly transforming energy ecosystem because of the effect of technology”, Ms. Güler Sabancı also noted:
“However, there is a factor which remains unchanged: Humans. When it comes to energy, we refer to a pretty wide ecosystem involving more than 500,000 employees, governmental agencies, private industry, NGOs and universities in our country. For this reason, our most important asset for the future are “our qualified human resources”. At this point, we attach great importance to public-industry-university collaborations in the field of energy just as in many other areas. Based on this perspective, the IICEC continues its studies through the “trio trivet” model. We can also call this model the “Success Triangle”. We will keep focusing on projects and collaborations with a high added value and intensive information and technology in the upcoming period as well. We must take our industry to a better future by means of utilising our human resources and technology more effectively besides our sources of energy. Performance of our strategic and operational activities, investments and policies with an understanding that focuses on the whole picture, and the people who will build this picture, must be the priority of each of us.”