Analyzing Past, Present, and Future of Wind Energy Investments in Northern Izmir Sub Region

OpenAlex İngilizce

The increasing industrialization process and policies within capitalist production relations necessitate the creation of policies that ensure the spread of different and relatively less damaging energy types due to the increase in consumed energy. This necessity also changes the welfare of the regions due to energy investments. In this context, the Northern İzmir region is an important sub-region located in İzmir, the third largest metropolis in Türkiye, and is strategically important due to its industrial zones and national and international ports. The region's private industrial and organized industrial zones and industrial areas have historically led to infrastructure investments for energy conversion facilities and fossil fuel-based energy plants. As a continuation of the green energy policies implemented to minimize the global effects of industrialization, policies, and practices for wind energy have been developed in Türkiye. In addition to the technical infrastructure opportunities it contains, the Northern İzmir Region has become an important wind energy production center over time with its high wind potential. In addition, over time, the region has become a center where the wind energy sector not only produces energy through plants but also where technology and equipment production for wind energy production are carried out. By examining satellite images, internet sources, and reports of institutions in the energy sector, this study analyzes the historical background of wind and other types of energy in the Northern region of İzmir and discusses the roles that the region will undertake in energy production in the future. While renewable energy facilities are clustered in the Aliağa and Bergama districts, fossil fuel-based energy production facilities are clustered in the Aliağa district.