14.01.2016 İstanbul
Speaking at the 7th Energy Efficiency Forum and Expo, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that we are on the verge of a new industrial revolution which will change the process of business and production permanently. Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that energy efficiency in regards to electricity could double profits.
TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that there are three
aspects to the matter of energy efficiency. Stating that looking at the
situation from a company perspective, markets are inactive both domestically
and internationally, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We are not scoring, let’s at least
not give any points away. Cost control is more important now than any other
time before. One of the biggest costs is energy. In an average company, energy
costs make up between 5% and 20% of spending. Average activity profitability of
companies in Turkey is around 4%. This means that if companies were to utilize electricity
more efficiently, lowering their total costs by about 5%, their profitability
would double. In other words, it would be like if they doubled their sales.”
Stating that it is very unlikely that there would be any companies in
the world without an energy and sustainability department in ten years’ time,
TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu said:
“They would be pushed out of the market. Just as almost every company
has a risk management, human resources, market expansion strategies, a
corporate energy strategy will be necessary. Our companies must generate energy
and resource consumption strategies.
They must plan out the most suitable energy acquisition strategy to suit
their needs as well as optimizing the energy consumption of their operations to
ultimately reduce their energy costs.”
- Second in terms of energy
demand increase
The second aspect of the issue has to do with Turkey, stated
Hisarcıklıoğlu and that the country is the second in the world after China in
terms of increase in energy demand in the last decade. Hisarcıklıoğlu reported
that over 70% of this demand is met by importing energy, “Last year, we
imported 50 billion USD in just energy. Add to this the fact that we utilize
the energy we do import very badly. We spend twice the OECD average in energy
to produce goods. This makes energy efficiency one of the most pressing issues
for Turkey’s future.”
- World losing its ability to
replenish itself
Pointing thirdly at the global and humanitarian aspect of the issue,
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that humanity has been at war with nature for centuries
and that winning only makes it lose.
TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Increasing population and
urbanization has caused increased demand for natural resources, rising to well
above what the natural cycle can provide. Research indicates that the world’s
capacity to naturally replenish itself has reached its limits. Each year we
consume the total some of that year’s annual produce by August, making up for
the rest of the year out of storage.”
Stating that the world is considered to be on the verge of the 4th
industrial revolution, Hisarcıklıoğlu expressed his conviction that the 4th
revolution would not be like those before it, that mechanization and the
proliferation of robots has made it unnecessary to have very many people in
global production processes.
“I believe that applications of biotech, nanotech and information and
communication technologies will change the process of business and production
permanently. These technology platforms with the ability to affect many sectors
will increase efficiency while lowering carbon emissions.”
- Is Turkey ready for the new
industrial revolution?
These developments show that Turkey is not ready for this change, stated
Hisarcıklıoğlu and said, “Neither the public or private sectors are ready. We
are still stuck on issues from back in the 19th century; don’t think
that the world will wait for us to catch up. We must catch up to the 21st
century with all due haste.” Emphasizing need to focus on biotech, nanotech and
information and communication technologies, Hisarcıklıoğlu stressed the importance
of technology transfer.
- TOBB’s efforts
Reporting that, in order to provide direction for the private sector,
the “Environment and Energy Efficiency Center” was opened last week,
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they would be focusing on the issues of energy
efficiency, renewable energy and environmental strategies on behalf of the
private sector.
- Mercan’s message of efficiency
World Energy Council Turkish National Committee Chairman Murat Mercan
reported that it is projected that the per capita electricity consumption will
increase, emphasizing the need to develop policies regarding efficiency and
production.