Renewable energy – use of wind power to replace fossil fuels on the electric grid

This Gold Standard renewable energy project harnesses the power of the wind to generate clean electricity. Emissions are reduced by displacing fossil fuels such as coal that are normally used to produce electricity for the regional grid.

Renewable Energy

Manisa and Balıkesir Provinces, Turkey

Gold Standard

1,897,692 tCO2e over 7 years

Wind power is a relatively new technology in Turkey, contributing only 1% of the national energy mix. Without carbon finance, the high up-front investment costs would have made the project unfeasible, meeting the additionality criteria established by the Clean Development Mechanism.

This project provides a range of environmental and community benefits. On top of the considerable green house gas reductions, reducing the burning of dirty fossil fuels also contributes to improved air quality in the region by preventing the release of noxious gases such as sulphur dioxide and nitrous oxides. The project employs full time staff from the region, and prioritises the employment of members from the local communities. According to Gold Standard rules, a local stakeholder consultation was held during the planning stage with representatives from 18 villages, who found no objection to the project. A further social and environmental benefit is provided by the project through the planting of 2,500 trees to compensate for approximately 300 trees that were removed during project construction.

Completed