The 2.45 billion TL wind power plant project in Balıkesir came to the fore with its effects on forest assets

While renewable energy investments were highlighted with the goal of "clean energy", the 2 billion 450 million TL RES project planned in Balıkesir attracted attention with its effects on forest assets. The General Directorate of Energy Affairs under the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources started the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process for the R26-Balıkesir-1 Wind Power Plant (RES) in Dursunbey and Kepsut districts of Balıkesir.

In the project covering the neighborhoods of Beyce, Ericek, Karahalliler, Infantry, Sayacık, Tuzak and Doğruoluk, 20 turbines with a power of seven MW each will be installed. According to the EIA file, 25 million 299 thousand square meters, or 93.7 percent, of the approximately 27 million square meter project area consists of forests.

In the environmental and social management plan of the project, it was stated that if the turbine areas, construction site or planned roads come across trees, "tree felling and logging" will be done.

In the same document, it was stated that the loss of flora and fauna species was likely to move away from the environment during construction activities.