Mare Monastir Windfarm, Turkey

Carbon offset funds enabled the construction of the Mare wind farm in Izmir province, which represents a sustainable alternative to conventional, fossil fuel electricity generation. The project achieved Gold Standard certification in November 2007.

HOW IT WORKS
The Windfarm consists of 49 Enercon E44 and E48 wind turbines, supplying an annual 128 GWh to the national grid. The demand for energy is increasing by 8% per year in Turkey. Low-emissions projects like this one displace some of the fossil fuel electricity generation that would be otherwise needed to make up the increased demand. Therefore, emissions rise at a slower rate than demand.

CARBON OFFSETS MADE IT HAPPEN
Without offset funds the financial payback for this installation would not have been viable. The installation yields savings in GHG emissions compared to the traditional approach of burning fuel for electricity generation. This also stands as a model for energy innovation and a switch to a lower carbon future.

OTHER BENEFITS OF THE INSTALLATION
The Mare Wind Farm project contributes to the sustainable development of the local community in the form of job opportunities and trainings, transfer of technology and know-how, road improvement and the funding of local initiatives, like the building of a kindergarten. The Mare wind farm improves Turkey’s energy mix and reduces its reliance on imports. With this development, Turkey’s increasing energy consumption doesn’t have to signify a proportional increase in CO₂ emissions. This Gold Standard project is a badge of pride for Izmir province.