Energy and water potential of the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP)

This article gives an overview of energy and water potential of the Southea stern Anatolia Project (GAP) in Turkey. This integrated socioeconomic devel opment project is one of the largest of its kind in the world. The GAP regi on is rich in water and soil resources. The Euphrates and Tigris Rivers rep resent over 28% of the nation's water supply by rivers, and the economicall y irrigatable areas in the region make up 20% of those for the entire count ry. On the other hand, the GAP region is the richest region of the country in terms of its hydroelectric potential as well as its oil and asphalt rese rves. The GAP region has a 22% share of the country's total hydroelectric p otential, with plans for 22 dams and 19 hydropower plants. Once completed 2 7 billion kWh of electricity will be generated. In addition to this hydropo wer and oil potential, the GAP region is also the richest region of Turkey as far as solar energy production is concerned In meeting the energy requir ements of the developing regions worldwide and in Turkey, solar energy is b eing taken into account as an important renewable source of energy.