According to the data from International Energy Agency and Turkey Electricity Transmission AŞ (TETAŞ), Istanbul’s electricity usage as a whole has passed 8 countries around the world. In 2003 in Turkey the usage of electricity was 131, 9 billion kilowatt hour. In 2013 this number has creased by 78 percent and became 235 billion kilowatt hour.

Annual electricity consumption is 34.4 billion kilowatt hours in Hungary, 30.4 billion kilowatt hours in Denmark, 28.6 billion kilowatt hours in Slovakia, 27.7 billion kilowatt hours in Ireland and 36.8 billion kilowatt hours only in Istanbul.

Mega city Istanbul has used 15 percent of Turkey’s total electricity. By the end of 2013 in Istanbul’s European side 25.2 billion kilowatt hours, in Anatolian’s side 11.6 billion kilowatt hours and in total 36.8 billion kWh has been used. In that same year Istanbul has passed 48 other cities in Turkey by the electricity usage with huge difference.

What can Turkey earn by saving electricity?

The saving potential of 25 percent in energy consumption corresponds to 11.500.000 tons of equivalent oil. The energy saving potential of our country is determined as 25 percent which means almost 9 billion kWh in Istanbul is a totally unnecessary usage. What makes the issue even more remarkable for consumers is that this savings potential reaches 25 percent in homes. In other words, 35 percent of the energy used in heating and lighting is wasted in houses. We, the citizens, play huge role in wasting electricity.

Ways of saving:

In electric cookers, the pot diameter used is larger than the normal cooker diameter, which provides 30% energy saving.

Using microwave ovens, especially for food heating, saves 60-65% energy.

The Use of flat pots and pans on the hobs provides energy saving with increased cooking space.

Backing in ovens with ceramic and glass pots saves money.

It is possible to benefit from 60% steam energy by closing the pots and pans with suitable lids.

Using less water for boiling vegetables and potatoes the choice of pressure cookers save 50-70%.

And much more of these things that every family can do very easily. 11.500.000 tons of equivalent oil is a huge amount and as a country with an economic crisis it our job to help our country.

Umut Karadeniz