The solar power plant established by Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University with an investment of 50 million Turkish liras has fully met the institution’s annual energy needs. The project has also received an award from the Ministry of Industry and Technology.
Implemented without the use of public funds through an Energy Performance Contract (EPC) model, the Kestel Campus Solar Power Plant (SPP) Project not only covered the university’s annual energy consumption of 0.9 megawatts but also generated a surplus of 1.7 megawatts.
Recognized as Turkey’s third-best project in the Public Sector Category at the 10th Efficiency Project Awards organized by the Ministry of Industry and Technology, this initiative is notable as the first solar power plant in the public sector implemented through a performance contract.
Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University Rector Prof. Dr. Kenan Ahmet Türkdoğan emphasized that this project is not merely about producing energy but also represents a key element of the university's broader sustainability vision.
Türkdoğan explained that in the early stages, they considered systems that could be installed on the sea or still water surfaces, but rooftop and parking area installations on campus were found to be more efficient in terms of performance and feasibility, leading to the current implementation.
Highlighting the project’s pioneering status in Turkey, Türkdoğan said:
“What sets us apart is that this is the first solar energy system in the public sector developed through the Energy Performance Contract (EPC) model. The system was established with an investment of approximately 50 million Turkish liras by a private company, with no financial burden on the university’s budget. The system has belonged to the university from day one. The company will generate revenue for 14 years based on an agreed share of the energy savings.”
Stating that the university’s annual energy consumption is 0.9 megawatts while production reaches 1.7 megawatts, Türkdoğan emphasized that the university not only meets its own needs but also earns revenue:
“This project provides significant financial benefits in addition to its sustainability value. The energy produced is sufficient to meet the annual needs of approximately 600 households of four people each. In 2024 alone, we generated an estimated profit of 9.5 million Turkish liras.”
Türkdoğan added that one of the most important outcomes of the project is its environmental contribution, noting that:
“We have implemented a system capable of offsetting the carbon emissions of 33,000 trees per year.”
He also shared that electric charging stations established on campus support vehicles for individuals with disabilities and electric bicycles:
“We will promote the use of electric scooters for student transportation within the campus. The revenue we generate from energy production is being reinvested into new projects.”
Türkdoğan recalled that they participated in the Ministry of Industry and Technology’s competition where 613 projects were evaluated across 11 categories, and they were awarded third place in the public institutions category.
Emphasizing that the award has raised awareness, Türkdoğan stated that demand for electric charging stations has been increasing and that other universities have reached out for information, looking to adopt similar models based on performance contracts.
He concluded by underlining that, in addition to energy savings and efficiency, the project's real value lies in fostering a strong sense of sustainability across the campus:
“We are planning further investments. We aim to develop our Gazipaşa, Akseki, and Cikcilli campuses in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. Alongside sustainable energy, we place great importance on the treatment and reuse of wastewater and rainwater, water efficiency, increasing green areas, and achieving zero carbon emissions. In line with these values, we plan to equip all our campuses accordingly and increase our energy production capacity to 4 megawatts.”