The legal view of the geothermal energy as a renewable energy sources: The European Union and Turkey case

The states turn towards to improve their renewable energy sources and to expand their usage areas by reason of the increase of problems such as the need for energy and fear of exhaustion risk for traditional energy sources, high prices and energy dependence against third countries arising by this reason which are increasing day by day. The geothermal energy sources are the most important renewable energy sources that the states having these sources turn towards. The mentioned geothermal energy sources can be used for producing home or industry usage electricity, heating and to meet the needs of hot water, in some various areas such as agriculture and tourism.The existence of the possibilities to use the geothermal energy sources in various areas has caused that the states make in detail their legal arrangements in this regard. We may see the mentioned arrangements at the national level as well as the Union level in the arrangements such as the European Union. This situation shows that the states how seriously approach this issues.The arrangements at Union level regarding the geothermal energy sources encumber the member states some obligations regarding the improvement of the mentioned sources, also encumber the Union's institutions the obligation to audit the improvements mainly in this regard and to formalize the legal arrangements according to acquired information. On the other hand, the arrangements at the national level as well as in Turkey determine the organs granting the relevant license regarding the geothermal energy activities and their duties and authorities, the persons who may apply for the license, the provisions regarding the audit and administrative penalties by directly stipulating the imperative rules regarding the searching and exploitations of these sources.Key words: Geothermal energy sources, renewable energy sources, exploration and exploitation licenses.