Minister Bayraktar points to 2028, says 'our own gas'

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar first visited the Governor's Office as part of his contacts in Zonguldak. He was welcomed by Governor Osman Hacıbektaşoğlu, AK Party MKYK member Mesut Özil, AK Party Zonguldak Deputy Saffet Bozkurt, AK Party Zonguldak Provincial Chairman Mustafa Çağlayan, and protocol members.

After signing the Governor's Office Honor Book, Minister Bayraktar visited the AK Party Zonguldak Provincial Organization. Following a meeting with party members there, Minister Bayraktar made statements to journalists.

Reminding that they entered the new year in Zonguldak and are in Zonguldak once again, Minister Bayraktar said, "We always say that Zonguldak is truly the capital of coal, but it is also a natural gas hub. Therefore, it is an energy city; we are also here to gather energy. Of course, the TTK (Turkish Hard Coal Enterprises) is very important for Zonguldak. In a sense, it is one of those facilities or topics that is integrated with the city. Turkey has certain cities like this. But Zonguldak is a city intertwined with coal and the TTK. The presence of the TTK here and increasing its production is extremely important for us," he said.

"We see how meaningful the policies we follow within the scope of national energy and mining policy are"

Pointing out that the war situation around Turkey has made energy the main agenda item, Minister Bayraktar continued as follows:

"I emphasize this every time I come. But we see that this has become a bit more meaningful now. Because the developments and conflicts, especially the war situation in our region and in our immediate vicinity, have made the energy issue the main topic of the agenda. Access to energy resources and the uninterrupted supply of energy are currently everyone's main agenda item. Therefore, we see once again how important domestic energy is and how meaningful the policies we follow within the scope of the national energy and mining policy are. We see that we need to take much faster steps in this regard. In this sense, Turkey has to use its domestic coal—the coal produced by the TTK in Zonguldak, by the TKİ (Turkish Coal Enterprises) in our other mining fields, by the private sector, and by miners. It has to incorporate its renewable resources into its economy to the maximum extent. We have become a country that produces its own oil and natural gas."

"In 2028, we will have met the natural gas needs of 17 million households with our own gas"

Stating that they aim to double natural gas production in the Black Sea in 2026, Minister Bayraktar said, "We aim to double the production of this gas coming to Turkey in the Black Sea in 2026. Hopefully, it will increase fourfold in 2028, and we will have met the natural gas needs of 16-17 million households with our own gas. Therefore, in this sense, we see once again the accuracy of our main policy of prioritizing domestic resources. We are striving to increase this rapidly. We do not foresee any supply interruption for our country at the moment. We have taken the necessary precautions in this regard. But of course, regarding developments beyond our control concerning prices, we have significantly prevented price increases by reducing the SCT (Special Consumption Tax) on fuel prices with the sliding scale decision we made last week. Our natural gas and electricity support for our citizens is already continuing," he said.

"Kozlu and Karadon will return to normal operations in a short time"

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar touched upon the inspections carried out at the Kozlu and Karadon facilities affiliated with the Turkish Hard Coal Enterprises (TTK) and the partial work decisions implemented, emphasizing that the mines will resume normal operations in a short time after occupational health and safety measures are fully taken. Bayraktar said, "I must express this specifically regarding the TTK. Especially within the framework of the inspections that have been ongoing here for the last few months and the decisions made regarding the mines as a result, I can say this: As of today, there is a partial work situation in Kozlu and Karadon, but hopefully, in a very short time, as a result of both the full implementation of the specified measures and the correct assessment of the situation here, it will return to its normal operations. The TTK is the apple of our eye; it is important for Zonguldak, but it is important for Turkey. We say occupational health and safety first; for us, the most important issue is that no miner gets a bloody nose and returns home safely to reunite with their family. After that, production compatible with the environment is important to us, and we call it value-added mining. In this sense, it is important for us to implement occupational health and safety standards at the highest level. We expect this from all our colleagues, and we were here again today to verify these efforts. We have heard all these issues and other actual topics of Zonguldak from our provincial chairman at our consultation meeting today. We have made our decisions regarding them. We have also given the necessary instructions. Now, hopefully, we are going to have iftar with our miner brothers," he said.

Following his statements, a Devrek Cane, representing the symbol of nobility, was presented to Minister Bayraktar by Provincial Chairman Mustafa Çağlayan. Minister Bayraktar departed for the TTK Kozlu Enterprise Directorate for the iftar program to be held with mine workers meters underground.

News Source: 12punto