Kayseri Geothermal-Based Agricultural Specialized Organized Industrial Zone (TDİOSB) Chairman Recep Bağlamış stated that the Kayseri Geothermal-Based Agricultural Specialized OSB has officially gained legal entity status through the partnership of the Kayseri Governorship, Metropolitan Municipality, Kocasinan Municipality, Kayseri Commodity Exchange, Kayseri Chamber of Commerce, and Kayseri Chamber of Industry.
Chairman Bağlamış emphasized that geothermal energy is a significant input that reduces costs in many sectors, and highlighted its importance for both the agriculture and energy sectors due to its renewable and sustainable features. He said, Our goal is to increase good agricultural practices, employment, and exports.
Bağlamış also pointed out that support for good agricultural practices in regions with geothermal energy is steadily increasing. "Thanks to these supports, we aim to increase technological and modern greenhouse investments in our provinces. This will ensure the production of better and higher-quality products, and by using geothermal energy resources, we can reduce energy costs and lower unit production costs. The products with lower unit costs will be marketed more profitably abroad. In addition, the added value these products will bring to our national economy will lead to a significant increase in agricultural exports."
He further explained that producers will be able to carry out high-efficiency, fully automated, soil-free production in modern technological greenhouses, while adding value to their products, contributing greatly to the country's agricultural sector.
"When our Geothermal-Based Greenhouse OSB becomes operational, it will have an annual production capacity of 35,000 tons from an area of 1.227 million m², and it will provide employment opportunities for 1,500 people, 75% of whom will be women. The zone will be self-sufficient, with centralized facilities that will meet the needs of construction permits, greenhouse heating, drinking water, electricity, and natural gas. In addition to the 35 technological greenhouse operation parcels, 9 industrial zones will be dedicated to processing the products produced," Bağlamış added.
He also highlighted that local governments and governorships are supporting projects for the direct use of geothermal resources, especially those that benefit citizens and make their lives easier. "We see this support in European Union project calls as well. In EU projects, it is now emphasized that support will be given for the direct use of geothermal resources rather than geothermal power plants. Geothermal resources are already actively used in district heating and modern greenhouse structures. In the future, we will witness geothermal resources being used in many different sectors beyond just geothermal power plants (JES), and I believe this will bring great benefits," he said.
Bağlamış concluded by expressing his hope that the investments made in this field will be beneficial to both the city and the country.