Enerjisa Enerji Receives US$110-million Support from the EBRD for Investments in the Earthquake Region
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will provide a loan of up to $100 million to Toroslar EDAŞ to support investments in the modernization and reconstruction of the electricity distribution network in the region, which was adversely affected by the earthquakes that hit the country on February 6 last year.
Reliable and stable energy to over 163,000 residents
The earthquakes caused widespread damage and claimed tens of thousands of lives, including those who were living in temporary accommodation. The project to be carried out will broaden the availability of reliable and stable energy to the more than 163,000 residents in regions affected by the earthquakes.
Enerjisa Enerji, the leading electricity distribution, retail, and customer solutions company in Türkiye, reaches over 10 million customers in 14 provinces and provides energy distribution services to more than 22 million people, or around a quarter of the country’s population.
Sustaining its human-, solution-, and innovation-oriented activities in their areas of responsibility by adopting a sustainable and high-quality service mentality, Enerjisa Enerji, a key private sector player in the Toroslar region, has the goal to work in collaboration with the Regional Recovery and Development Centre (RRDC) in order to support the strategic planning of human capital, income generation and sustainable economic development initiatives for the reconstruction and development of the economic, social, cultural and non-governmental aspects in the earthquake region.
In collaboration with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the initiatives of Enerjisa Enerji will focus on programmes regarding livelihood generation for the affected communities in the region, training modules on sustainable skills in agriculture and energy efficiency, projects and schemes for workforce preservation, and job placement. Following the earthquakes, the EBRD announced a comprehensive two-year response package of €1.5 billion, which includes credit lines to individuals and companies affected by the earthquakes, as well as infrastructure investments and support for small and medium-sized enterprises and private sector partnerships.
“We are aware of our responsibility to our communities”
Philipp Ulbrich, Chief Financial Officer of Enerjisa Enerji, stated: “The new loan agreement with the EBRD will be the driving force behind the re-establishment and modernization of our cities’ electrical infrastructure, which was damaged in the earthquakes in February. We are aware of our responsibility to our communities, and this loan agreement is part of our commitment to a long-term, sustainable energy future. It will help us to rebuild the electricity infrastructure and will contribute to development in the region.
The EBRD’s support and willingness to cooperate on this project is a positive step for both our company and the local people. In addition to thanking the EBRD, we express our gratitude to our colleagues at Enerjisa, who work hard in the field to provide reliable and sustainable solutions that meet the energy needs of our societies – they play a major role in the success of this project.” The proceeds of the loan will also allow Enerjisa Enerji to reduce its energy losses, leading in turn to a reduction in CO2 emissions of 82,000 tons per year.
Aida Sitdikova, EBRD Director for Energy, Eurasia, Middle East and Africa, welcomed the transaction, and stated: “Since the earthquakes, we have been working closely with our clients to move towards recovery and reconstruction in the area. Our partnership with Enerjisa will ensure uninterrupted electricity distribution in the affected cities and support a stronger and more sustainable reconstruction of the region.”
To date, the EBRD has invested more than €19.1 billion in the Turkish economy, largely in the private sector.
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 10.6 million customers in 14 provinces and provides electricity distribution services to more than 22 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 100% of its shares. 20 percent of Enerjisa Enerji, whose main shareholders are Sabancı Holding and E.ON, is publicly traded in Borsa Istanbul.