Energy Efficiency Law No. 5627 (2007) and its associated regulations form the core legal framework governing energy consumption and efficiency management in Turkey. Because Turkey is a net energy importer, every unit of saved energy carries strategic importance at both the national and enterprise level. The law sets out numerous requirements, including a mandatory Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for buildings, mandatory appointment of an energy manager for industrial facilities, and efficient lighting and heating-cooling practices for public institutions.
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
Under the Building Energy Performance Regulation (BEP), an EPC is mandatory for all new buildings prior to obtaining the occupancy permit, and for existing buildings at the point of sale or lease. The EPC classifies a building's annual energy consumption and CO2 emissions on a scale from A to G.
EPC Classification
| Class | Annual Energy Consumption | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| A | Highly efficient | Above new standards |
| B | Efficient | Minimum legal standards |
| C | Moderately efficient | Typical for existing buildings |
| D | Low efficiency | Improvement required |
| E-F-G | Inefficient | Immediate improvement recommended |
Energy Management for Industrial Facilities
Under Law No. 5627, industrial facilities exceeding certain energy consumption thresholds are subject to additional obligations:
- Consumption above 1,000 TOE (Tonnes of Oil Equivalent) per year: Appointment of an energy manager is mandatory.
- Consumption above 5,000 TOE per year: Establishment of an energy management unit is mandatory.
- For industrial enterprises: Submission of an annual energy declaration form.
- Efficiency-Enhancing Projects (EEP): Eligibility to apply for Ministry incentives.
Energy Audit
An energy audit is the systematic analysis of energy consumption efficiency at a facility. It is carried out at three levels:
- Level 1 (Walkthrough Audit): A 1-2 day on-site review. Identifies improvement opportunities in general terms, with investment costs paying back within 0.5-2 months.
- Level 2 (Detailed Audit): 1-2 weeks. Each point of energy use is analysed, measurements are taken, and an economic analysis is included.
- Level 3 (Investment-Grade Audit): Engineering-level detailed analysis to support a specific investment decision.
ISO 50001 Energy Management System
ISO 50001:2018 is the international standard that enables energy management to be conducted on the principles of a systematic and continual improvement approach. In energy-intensive industries, certification is used both to meet legal obligations and to improve operational efficiency. Organisations certified to ISO 50001 gain priority access to Ministry EEP incentives and green financing opportunities.
Typical Energy Efficiency Opportunities
- LED lighting conversion (payback 1-2 years)
- High-efficiency motor replacement (IE3, IE4)
- Use of frequency inverters (pumps, fans)
- Waste heat recovery (economisers, regenerative systems)
- Steam line insulation improvement
- Compressed air system optimisation
- Solar energy integration (particularly rooftop SPP)
- HVAC system efficiency improvement
- Smart building management systems (BMS)
In a typical industrial facility in Turkey, 15-30% of annual energy costs can be reduced through efficiency improvement projects, with an average payback period of 18-36 months. This means both legal compliance and strategic savings.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How is an EPC obtained?
It is issued by an Energy Efficiency Consultancy (EVD) firm authorised by the Ministry. An authorised engineer visits the building, analyses the structural data and energy consumption, performs the classification using the BEP software, and issues the official certificate.
- Who can obtain an Energy Manager certificate?
Electrical, mechanical, chemical or industrial engineers who complete the "Energy Manager" course delivered by training institutions accredited by the Ministry.
- How large is the EEP incentive?
The Ministry provides grant support of up to 30% of the investment amount (a maximum of TRY 5 million) for an Efficiency-Enhancing Project (EEP). The application and approval process takes 6-12 months.
- How long does ISO 50001 certification take?
Implementation from scratch takes 8-12 months. For facilities with an existing system (ISO 14001 or 9001), this can be reduced to 5-8 months. Certification is obtained from an independent body accredited by TÜRKAK.