A 50 Million TL Solar Power Plant Investment Without Public Funding: A Model Project from ALKÜ

Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University (ALKÜ) has produced more energy than its annual consumption through a solar power plant investment worth 50 million TL, realized without using any public funds. The project, which ranked third in Turkey with its sustainability vision, stands out with its environmental and economic contributions.

MUSTAFA KURT – Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University (ALKÜ) has generated more energy than it consumes through a solar energy investment implemented in line with its forward-looking sustainability vision.

The Kestel Campus Solar Power Plant (SPP) Project, launched without the use of public resources under an Energy Performance Contract (EPC) model and with an investment of 50 million TL, has both met the university’s annual energy consumption of 0.9 megawatts and produced an additional surplus of 1.7 megawatts.

The project ranked third in the Public Category of the 10th Efficiency Project Awards organized by the Ministry of Industry and Technology and is notable as the first solar power plant implemented under a performance-based contract in the public sector.

ALKÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Kenan Ahmet Türkdoğan told Anadolu Agency (AA) that this project is not only about energy production but also forms an integral part of the university’s broader sustainability vision.

Türkdoğan stated that, at the project’s inception, offshore and still-water installation alternatives were considered, but based on performance and feasibility, campus rooftops and parking areas were found to be more efficient and thus selected for implementation.

Emphasizing the pioneering nature of the project in Turkey, Türkdoğan said:

“What sets us apart is that this is the first solar energy system in the public sector realized under the Energy Performance Contract (EPC) model. The system was installed by the investor company through an investment of approximately 50 million TL, without any expenditure from our university's budget. From the very first day, the system has been the property of our university, while the company will earn income for 14 years based on a predetermined share of the energy savings achieved.”

“We implemented a system capable of offsetting the carbon emissions of 33,000 trees annually”

Türkdoğan noted that the university’s annual energy consumption is 0.9 megawatts, while energy production has reached 1.7 megawatts.

Highlighting that the university not only meets its own energy needs but also generates income, he added:

“This project offers significant gains not only in terms of sustainability but also financially. The energy produced can cover the annual energy needs of approximately 600 apartments occupied by families of four. In 2024 alone, we have achieved an estimated profit of 9.5 million TL.”

Türkdoğan pointed out that one of the most valuable outcomes of the project is its environmental contribution, noting that the system implemented is capable of offsetting the carbon emissions of 33,000 trees each year.

He also mentioned that electric charging stations established on the campus support vehicles for individuals with disabilities as well as electric bicycles:

“We will encourage the use of electric scooters for student transportation within the campus. We are also using the revenue generated from energy production to fund new investments.”

Türkdoğan recalled that they participated in a competition held by the Ministry of Industry and Technology where 613 projects were evaluated across 11 categories, and they won third place in the public institutions category.

Emphasizing that the award increased awareness, Türkdoğan stated that there has been rising interest in the electric charging stations and that other universities have requested information to model their own projects on this performance contract-based initiative.

Concluding, Türkdoğan said that the project's impact goes beyond energy efficiency and savings, contributing to a broader sense of sustainability across the campus:

“We have projects in the pipeline. Our goal is to develop our campuses in Gazipaşa, Akseki, and Cikcilli according to the criteria of the Sustainable Development Goals. In addition to sustainable energy, we prioritize values such as treating and utilizing wastewater and rainwater, water efficiency, increasing green space, and achieving zero carbon emissions. In this direction, we aim to integrate all our campuses with these principles and increase our energy production capacity to 4 megawatts.”

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