Problems and Solutions Related to Hydroelectric Power Plants Constructed on the Buyuk Menderes and the West Mediterranean Basin

Abstract

Hydropower is a key source for renewable electricity generation and it has an important potential to be marketed as green energy. There has been a substantial increase in the number of hydroelectric power plants in recent years in Turkey. While offering ecological advantages from a global perspective, such as climate change mitigation, emergency management, and reduction of flooding risk, the operation and construction of hydroelectric power plants may cause some environmental impacts on the local and regional level. These include harm to fish populations, a loss of aquatic habitat, a significant change in natural flow regimes, and deterioration of the landscape. The article aims to suggest various ways to resolve these issues, and to research the problems of 24 hydroelectric power plants operated and constructed on dams, rivers, and canals by the State Hydraulic Works (DSI) or private sector in the Buyuk Menderes Basin and in the West Mediterranean Basins in Turkey.