Ankara University to Power Campuses with Solar Energy from New 53.4 MW Plant
Ankara, April 1 – Ankara University is on the verge of a significant milestone, as its new 53.4-megawatt solar power plant (GES) in Çaparkayı village, Şabanözü district of Çankırı, is nearing completion. This ambitious project will enable the university to meet the energy demands of all its campuses from renewable sources, marking a crucial step towards sustainability.
The construction of the solar power plant, which began approximately a year ago, is now in its final stages. The facility will supply clean energy to Ankara University’s widespread faculties, institutes, vocational schools, and hospitals across Ankara.
Rector Ünüvar Emphasizes Importance of Clean Energy
Professor Dr. Necdet Ünüvar, Rector of Ankara University, along with vice-rectors and other relevant administrators, recently visited the construction site. During the visit, they received updates from company officials regarding the plant, which is scheduled to commence production in the near future.
In a statement, Ünüvar highlighted that a dream initiated three years ago is now becoming a reality with the establishment of this solar power plant. He underscored its immense value, stating, “This is a very valuable investment not only for Ankara University but also for Turkey. It is also a valuable investment for humanity.“
Rector Ünüvar further emphasized humanity’s continuous pursuit of clean energy in today’s world. “Humanity wants to get rid of the polluting effects of fossil fuels on the world and wants to benefit from renewable energy sources such as solar energy and wind energy,” he noted. He added that with this project, Ankara University will fulfill its energy needs from clean energy, effectively bringing the university’s energy costs to zero. “The installation of the panels has been completed. Hopefully, it will become operational very soon. We are very happy to have brought this solar power plant to our university and our country. This is a very proud investment,” Ünüvar concluded.
Ankara University: A Pioneer in Renewable Energy
Ayşe Beril Harmanlı, Board Member of Girişim Elektrik Companies Group, whose views were also included in the statement, pointed out that with this project, Ankara University will become one of the rare universities to power itself with renewable energy. She further stressed that it is, in fact, the only university of this scale to achieve such an accomplishment.
The successful implementation of this solar power plant positions Ankara University as a leader in sustainable energy practices within the academic sphere, setting a precedent for other institutions to follow. This initiative not only contributes to environmental protection but also offers significant economic benefits by eliminating energy expenditures for the university.
The project is a testament to Turkey’s commitment to increasing its share of renewable energy and reducing its carbon footprint. It is anticipated that the plant’s operation will significantly contribute to the region’s energy independence and environmental goals.
Source: https://www.haberturk.com/ankara-haberleri/40973917-ankara-universitesi-kampuslerinin-enerji-ihtiyacini-ges-ile-saglayacak
