Turkey's energy minister has met with the ambassadors of Russia and Iran to discuss his country's energy needs before the onset of winter.
Energy Minister Cumhur Ersumer reportedly informed the ambassadors of Turkey's intention to purchase more electricity from their countries. This may avoid the power shortages Turkey faced last winter.
In a statement released after the meetings Tuesday, the ministry said.
Ersumer met Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Hossein Lavasani to discuss the Turkish-Iranian natural gas pipeline that is under construction as well as the possibility of buying electricity from Iran.
Ersumer's meeting with Russian Ambassador Aleksander Lebedev comes before
next month's Turkish-Russian Energy Commission meeting and the Russian prime
minister's visit to Turkey on Oct. 23-25.
Energy Ministry sources quoted by the private NTV news channel said the two discussed the energy sector, the purchase of electricity via Georgia, construction of the Blue Stream natural gas pipeline and increasing the capacity of the existing pipeline between the two countries.
Turkey's main problem has been its failure to make the necessary investments in energy production to maintain sufficient power-generating capacity. As a result, the country remains vulnerable to shortages. If the necessary steps are not taken in time, people may suffer another very chilly
winter.
Meanwhile, despite the Energy Ministry halting new gas subscriptions in Ankara and claims that Istanbul had followed suit, the Istanbul Natural Gas Distribution Limited Co. says it is still accepting subscribers' applications at its local branches.
Turkey's energy shortage has increased recently as a result of a drought causing a falling water level in dams, an abnormal rise in oil prices and a shortage of natural gas in Turkey. – (Albawaba-MEBG)
© 2000 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
