Turkish institutions led by Enerjisa Enerji gathers for efficiency under ‘A Better Future’ platform
Türkiye's electricity utility giant Enerjisa Enerji led platform ‘A Better Future’ kicked off on Thursday with a wide and diverse stakeholder attendance to contribute to the economic efficiency in Türkiye with scientific research.
The institutions and organizations that support the platform and comprise the advisory board include Turkish Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), The Economic Policy Research Foundation of Türkiye (TEPAV), Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye Marmara Research Center (TUBITAK MAM), Istanbul Technical University (ITU) Energy Institute, Sabancı University Istanbul International Center for Energy and Climate (IICEC), Energy Efficiency Association (Enver) and Theatre Cooperatives.
Türkiye Efficiency Map and Efficiency Survey Report Published
As the first concrete project of the platform, a comprehensive survey that presents the baseline conditions, priorities, future expectations and risks of the businesses in Türkiye in terms of efficiency has been published. Türkiye Efficiency Map, which includes the sectoral and regional analyzes of the survey, which was participated by 1,249 businesses from 12 separate industries in 18 provinces, has been published online. All contents can be accessed on dahaiyibirgelecek.org. A committee consisting of academicians specialized in economy, energy and sustainability, as well as an independent research company worked throughout the research and mapping processes. Some of the significant findings presented in the report are as follows;
- The percentage of businesses that invest in increasing efficiency is 22%. In large-scale businesses, the percentage drops to 17%.
- Businesses attach significance to efficiency; however, the main benefit they expect from efficiency is cost reduction and achieving saving. Therefore, an innovation-based perspective to increase competitiveness through efficiency has not developed yet.
- Saving materials, waste reduction and recycling are the main areas that the companies focus on when considering resource efficiency.
- One of the initial areas to intervene in terms of efficiency could be data analysis management. Even though companies invest in analysis tools, they cannot perform data analysis effectively, which leads to a cycle of inefficiency.
- The cost of environmental actions (reducing plastic use, carbon management and waste management) is not considered as a major issue. This can be interpreted that once businesses have access to finance, they can initiate the related activities without considering the relevant costs as a barrier.
- Although demand or support from customers is considered as the most facilitating way to become more efficient, providing information about appropriate financing opportunities, grants, loans and resource efficiency solutions emerge are major resources to ensure efficiency.
Speaking at the ceremony for the launching of the platform, Kıvanç Zaimler, Chairman of the Board at Enerjisa Enerji, stated, “Energy intensity, one of the focal points of the energy industry, is a concept completely related to economic efficiency. Hence, I find it very meaningful for Enerjisa Enerji, the leading player in the energy industry, to pioneer this platform. Instead of just debating on stopping the climate crisis, developing destructive technologies, etc. or using them as an attractive motto, we have to take concrete steps. We are all very excited about the “A Better Future” platform, which will guide and inspire people and, above all, take concrete steps with the contributions of many valuable stakeholders. Our goal is to build concrete projects on the economic efficiency of Türkiye with the collaborative efforts of the stakeholders that come together through this platform and let Enerjisa Enerji lead these projects. Moreover, we will be looking for new funding mechanisms and collaborations related to these projects. Ultimately, our goal is for the ‘A Better Future’ platform to become an effective non-governmental representative standing on its own feet.”
Moreover, Murat Pınar, CEO at Enerjisa Enerji, stated, “Efficiency concept hits the top of the most significant topics in reducing the current account deficit, which can be considered as the foremost issue in Türkiye. The energy industry, which constitutes the largest portion of the current account deficit, has a great responsibility in this area. The fact that the "A Better Future" platform that we have designed for this purpose has become a structure contributed by several valuable stakeholders is beyond our dreams and makes us feel even more responsible. Our goal is to contribute to a better, cleaner and more efficient future in Türkiye for future generations.”
In his speech, Ali Ercan Özgür, PhD., Co-Founder of IDEMA, the solution partner of the platform, stated, “Enerjisa Enerji, TBWA\Istanbul and IDEMA have taken the initial steps of a long-term project for a better future. According to the Türkiye Efficiency Survey Report that we have prepared, businesses in Türkiye attach significance to efficiency, but the main benefit they expect from efficiency is focused on reducing costs and achieving saving. Therefore, the requirement to develop an innovation-based perspective to increase competitiveness through efficiency arises.
Throughout this project, we contributed to designing the survey to represent the requirements, developing Türkiye Efficiency Map and Efficiency Report, coordinating the advisory board, and designing the online platform. We strongly believe that we will contribute to the development journey of our country with a particular focus on environmental, economic sustainability and efficiency by sustaining this collaboration.”
About Enerjisa Enerji
Enerjisa Enerji, which pioneers the energy transformation in Türkiye by using the multiplier effect of sustainability and technology in line with its vision of "A better future for all", provides service to 25 percent of Türkiye in electricity distribution and retail, which are the main fields of activity of the company. Enerjisa Enerji, the prominent player in the industry, reaches 10.3 million customers in 14 provinces and provides electricity distribution services to more than 21 million users. While Enerjisa Enerji offers renewable energy, efficiency and green energy solutions to its customers via its Energy of My Business brand, the company also operates the first and fastest charging station network in Türkiye with Eşarj, the company of which Enerjisa owns majority of its shares. 20 percent of Enerjisa Enerji, whose main shareholders are Sabancı Holding and E.ON, is publicly traded on Borsa Istanbul.
About IDEMA
IDEMA was founded in 2011 by three international development professionals with the purpose of developing innovative and inclusive solutions in order to contribute to the social, economic and cultural development in Türkiye and abroad. The company continues to enhance its collaborations and networks with the United Nations, international investment organizations, private companies, national and international NGOs, domestic and foreign chambers of commerce and public institutions as part of its development perspective for more than 10 years.