According to Turkey’s Ministry of Energy, the country faces a deficit of 3.1B kWh of electricity in 2001 and plans to make up the shortfall through power saving measures. Turkey, which already imports electricity, has been hit by a severe drought in catchment areas for hydroelectric dams in the east of the country. The reduced hydro production in eastern Turkey is expected to account for 1.5B kWh of the deficit.
Energy Minister Cumhur Ersumer told a parliamentary commission that the projected power demand in 2001 would reach 139.7B kWh, an increase of 8.3% over the year 2000 level of 129B kWh.