Geothermal energy is an underdeveloped clean energy resource due primarily to the high risks associated with early stage exploration and development. Some form of government support is typically required to minimize uncertainty and attract private investment. Turkey’s national and provincial governments jointly conducted all of Turkey’s early geothermal development, culminating in the 2005 publication of an inventory of Turkish geothermal waters. The inventory in conjunction with an amendment to decentralize power production, a mandatory feed-in-tariff, and other related renewable energy laws, have spurred an uptick in private sector-led geothermal development since 2008. Highlighted below, and profiled in this case study, are good practices and actions that supported geothermal development in Turkey.

• Early geothermal exploration and development work by Turkey’s state mining and geological survey entity, allowed for investment risk mitigation and attracted private investment in geothermal power development.
• Based on the activities above, development of an inventory of geothermal data by the Government supported transparent provision of information to investors.