Turkish EV and smart grid infrastructure receives $110mn injection

A loan package of $110 million is being funnelled into a Turkish electricity company to expand and upgrade the country’s electricity network and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.

The package has been granted to Enerjisa Enerji A.S. from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

Proceeds of the loan will enable Enerjisa to modernise its electricity distribution network with efficient equipment and smart grid applications and expand its EV charging infrastructure. The investments are part of a capital expenditure programme approved by the country’s energy regulator.

Esarj, one of Enerjisa’s subsidiaries, was one of Turkey’s first EV charging companies and remains a key player in the field. Enerjisa, itself, is a major electricity distributor, serving a quarter of Turkey’s population.

The investment will allow Enerjisa to expand its distributed energy business through its Enerjisa Customer Solutions subsidiary, which provides sustainable and innovative energy solutions.

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Nandita Parshad, managing director of the EBRD’s Sustainable Infrastructure Group, welcomed the transaction, saying: “We are pleased to be working with an industry leader such as Enerjisa on an investment plan to improve its distribution network and expand its EV charging infrastructure in Turkey. These efforts will increase the company’s resilience, contribute to a greener energy sector and aid Turkey in achieving its net-zero targets.”

The upgrade and modernisation of Enerjisa’s electricity network and the integration of distributed renewable energy capacity will lead to direct CO2 savings of 119,999 tonnes per year by cutting electricity losses and increasing renewable energy generation.

“The Turkish EV pool is expected to reach at least 2 million by 2030…It is, therefore, important that we promptly carry out sustainable, efficient investments that prioritise technology,” added Enerjisa Enerji CEO Murat Pınar.

“Consequently, we are boosting investment to offer solutions to our customers based on renewable resources, expand our EV charging infrastructure and upgrade our electricity distribution network with more efficient and technology, as well as smart-grid practices. We can do this thanks to the financing we are receiving from the EBRD.”