Eksim Energy Protects Wildlife in Clean Energy Investments

Eksim Energy shared the EIA follow-up report prepared by independent institutions and academics for a total of 14 new wind turbines that will be commissioned by the end of the year at the wind energy power plant located in Geyve district of Sakarya. According to the results of the report, it was determined that 59 bird species in the region were not damaged or dispersed. Evaluating the issue, Eksim Energy CEO Arkın Akbay said, “As a result of scientific research on wildlife, we can optimize the placement points of our wind turbines, if necessary. "Our first priority in choosing turbine technologies is to preserve the balance of the ecosystem and prevent damage to the environment and living creatures," he said.

Eksim Energy, one of the leading green energy companies of our country, continues to fulfill its sustainability commitments with its investments in energy production from renewable sources. The company, which has 8 wind power plants (RES) across Turkey and will add a total of 14 Nordex N163 wind turbines, each with a power of 7 MW, to its capacity in the Sakarya Geyve region, is commissioning its investments with the understanding of environmental and social sustainability.

Eksim Energy, which has established its power plants in places far from settlements and where they will not affect natural life, shared the research reports prepared by Düzce University under the management of academician Leyla Özkan for the location of the new turbines in the Sakarya Geyve region. According to the 2024 Spring Term Ornithological Monitoring and Predator Effect Assessment Report, it was documented that the wind turbines did not have any negative effects on wildlife in the area.

Migration mobility of birds is limited in the region

According to the results of the report, 59 bird species were observed in the Sakarya Geyve region, where Eksim Energy invested. During the spring carcass (death or injury) searches carried out in the 11 turbine areas currently in operation, no bird or bat species that were collided were found. As a result of the findings obtained from the 15-day field studies, the very low density of bird migration on the Geyve WPP site and the limited number of local species reduce the risk of collision. On the other hand, experts confirmed that no stray animals were harmed because the WPPs were located at high altitude, far from the city.

“We plan our investments in the light of scientific research”

Making evaluations on the subject, Eksim Energy CEO Arkın Akbay stated that they took environmental sustainability into consideration when planning renewable energy investments and said, “3 more wind turbines in our installed wind energy power plant in the region have transitioned to commercial operation with the acceptance of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources. We aim to add a total of 14 turbines to our country's renewable energy portfolio by the end of the year. In addition to the reports we prepare in accordance with the legislation on each new energy investment, we take care to obtain opinions from independent organizations and share them with the public in line with our principle of transparency. As a result of our research and field studies on wildlife, we optimize the placement points of our wind turbines.  "Establishing our turbines in locations with high wind quality that are not dense forests away from settlements, keeping noise levels at a level that will not adversely affect the health of living things with the technology we choose, protecting quality soil, reducing the risk by creating protection against forest fires and therefore protecting the habitat are among our priorities." he said.

Supporting the local economy while protecting nature

Underlining that renewable energy investments provide the opportunity to reverse the negative effects of climate change by reducing carbon emissions, Akbay said, “Wind energy provides almost zero carbon emissions compared to fossil fuels. As Eksim Energy, we prevented approximately 1.1 million tons of carbon emissions by producing 2 billion kWh of electrical energy the previous year, and we continue to achieve our goals by adding to it in 2024. While our investments that contribute to our country's "Net Zero Carbon Emission" target continue, we support the local economy in the regions where our businesses are located. The electricity demand of our growing economy is increasing day by day, and our transmission and distribution network needs to be strengthened with reliable and environmentally friendly sources. "In addition to our country reaching energy independence and affordable electrical energy with the investments we make, we select our colleagues from competent employees in the region, contribute to employment from universities and vocational schools in the regions, and lead the clean energy transformation of our country." he said.