In the energy sector, nine projects of different beneficiaries (MENR, EMRA, TEIAS, MoEU, İller Bank, BOTAŞ, EİE) have been completed under EU - Turkey Financial Program of 2002-2007 and IPA 2007-2013. EU support in the past IPA programming years has mainly focussed on electricity networks, natural gas transportation, energy efficiency and regulatory authorities. In addition, a long-awaited twining project for the harmonisation of the Turkish nuclear safety standards in line with EU standards has also been included under the 2013 programming exercise. € 133.2 million was allocated to the energy sector in IPA-I for the years between 2007 and 2013, though only some € 60 million was programmed during that period.

 

As regards to the ongoing assistance, MENR has two sector projects which are fully complementary on the areas of market development, energy efficiency and renewable energy and one of them has a measure on nuclear safety which has been the only priority of the MIPD in which there is no action provided until the year of 2013. They are both in the process of being implemented and the possible outcomes and lessons which will stem from those actions are to act as a guide for the new programming period in terms of sector development and project implementation.

 

Regarding the IPA II period, Indicative Strategy Paper is prepared to outline the IPA intervention logic. According to the Indicative Strategy Paper for Turkey, the IPA support in the programming period 2014 - 2020 will concentrate in the following priority areas:

 

• Market integration and development of infrastructures: in order to benefit from cross-border energy cooperation, enhance security of supply and further integrate in the internal electricity and gas internal markets.

• Promotion of the renewable energy and energy efficiency: harmonization of renewable energy and energy efficiency legislation with the EU acquis and follow closely the EU targets in these fields.

 

In line with these strategies, Sector Planning Document prepared by the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources which is assigned as the Lead Institution for Energy sector. The expected principal benefits that sector support will generate for the beneficiaries are as follows:

 

• Development and application of a set of transparent and non-discriminatory rules on transit of gas and electricity,

• Development of reverse flow capability in gas pipelines,

• Improvement of institutional capacity building for the implementation of the energy efficiency programs and renewable energy programs,

• Development of the technical capacity of energy service companies (ESCOs),

• Development of local applications and institutional capacity in utilization of renewable energy at municipalities,

• Support for R&D activities at universities,

• Harmonization of Turkish practices with the EU-28 experience within the scope of 2020 and 2030 targets for renewable energy,

• Development of infrastructure to measure, monitor and report the energy savings,

• Awareness raising and disseminating information on energy efficiency targeted to industry, services and households.