52 Jeothermal well and 14 site in 19 Provinces of Turkey including Canakkale have been taken into the investment plan of Energy and Natural Resources Ministry as an alternative to Natural Gas in order to be used in Tourism, Hospitals and GreenHouses. Energy and Natural Resources Minister, Hilmi GULER, told that 52 jeothermal wells and 14 jeothermal site would be privatized and these investments would cost around 900 Milion Dolars and provide employment about 5000 people. Minister Guler told that in the scope of the investment 29 city would be heated with jeothermal energy, and this would be a very cost effective alternative. In the first phase 19 cities including Canakkale would be taken into consideration for investmet in order to use jeothermal energy. Minister Guler stressed the importance of the report of MTA with regads to the jeothermal resources of Turkey and told that there is a huge heater under the lands of Turkey and they would use this power. Miniter Guler added that the jeothermal resources of Turkey has the highest potential in Europe and 7 th in the world. It is expected to increase the electricity production from 27 mw to 550mw and heating of 100.000 building to 200.000 in the year 2010 with the usage of jeothermal resources. At the moment 635.000 square meter space is being heated by jeothemal resources and it is planned to increase this amount to 300.000.000 m2. It is also planned to increase the number of thermal resorts from 215 to 400.
