Evaluation of the environmental impacts of hydroelectric power plant projects installed in Turkey

In this study, the environmental realization of the hydroelectric energy potential in Turkey was analyzed, and the effects of climate change and the regime disruption experienced in precipitation on the installed power and energy production were examined. As of 2020, the number of hydroelectric power plants (HEPPs) in operation is 714 and the share of hydroelectric energy in renewable energy sources is 60.24%. Depending on the increase in the number of Hydroelectric Power Plants, there has been an increase in the total installed power. Between 1924 and 2020, although the share of Hydroelectric Power Plants in total energy production was preserved, irregularities occurred in energy production. Irregular rainfall due to climate change and increasing temperatures has had a negative impact on Hydroelectric Power Plants. When the energy production amount of the Hydroelectric Power Plants registered to the Renewable Energy Resources Support Mechanism between 2014 and 2019 is examined, it has been determined that the annual production included in the license is below. As a result of the inability to produce the desired energy, it was concluded that Hydroelectric Power Plants were built above the environmental carrying capacity and the desired efficiency in energy production could not be achieved against the possibility of drought due to climate change.