Govt plans to sell off electricity production

After generating billions of dollars by selling the rights to electricity grids across the country, the Turkish government is now preparing to go on a huge privatization campaign for power production. Initially, four thermal power plants will be sold, in addition to a second wave of tenders for 18 coal or natural gas and 28 hydroelectric power plants, according to the Anatolia news agency. The second wave will be realized in nine phases in line with the location of the plants, Anatolia said. The total potential of the plants to be privatized exceeds 16 gigawatts. The government also plans to sell the properties of the power plants, but intends to hold onto management rights for hydroelectric plants. The first four power plants to be sold are Hamitabat, Kangal, Seyitomer and Soma A-B. Hamitabat is in the northwestern province of Kirklareli and burns natural gas, while Kangal (in Sivas), Seyitomer (Kutahya), and Soma A-B (Manisa) use lignite coal. Officials said the nine portfolios were organized according to geographic location and to meet the expectations of a broad range of investors, Anatolia reported.