Access to clean water is a fundamental human right.
At Zorlu Enerji, we remain committed to continuously reducing our impacts related to water withdrawal, consumption, and discharge, particularly in regions facing water scarcity.
Global water resources are under significant pressure due to population growth, industrialization, and agricultural activities. Agriculture accounts for approximately 70% of global water consumption, and by 2025, it is expected that 50% of the world’s population will face water stress. The climate crisis exacerbates issues such as droughts, floods, and salinization of water resources, making access to clean water increasingly challenging. This underscores the critical need for sustainable water management and urgent action on water conservation.
Why Should We Pay Attention to Our Impact on Water Systems?
Global water systems and freshwater supplies are under increasing pressure from human consumption, pollution, and the impacts of climate change. At Zorlu Enerji, we aim to develop renewable energy solutions that contribute to nature's well-being while ensuring that energy production neither depletes nor pollutes global water systems.
Aligned with our goals, we have integrated water-related risks and opportunities into our business plans and regularly review water consumption data. While identifying these risks, we consider water stress factors in the regions where our power plants are located. Water stress, a global challenge today, threatens sustainable water use through its economic, social, and environmental impacts.
According to the World Resources Institute (WRI), water demand is projected to increase by 30% by 2050 due to population growth, socio-economic developments, and changing consumption patterns. You can review the map in the WRI Water Risk Atlas to explore the risks in our operational areas.
For detailed water-related risks and action plans specific to our facilities—especially regarding biodiversity—you can refer to our Climate Risk Report.
Climate Risk Report
What we do as Zorlu Enerji?
We attach importance to sharing the results of our efforts with our stakeholders by acting in line with the principle of transparency.
We report our water usage and impact data through the CDP Water Program.
At our facilities with high water usage, we have completed ISO 14046 Water Footprint verification processes and shared the data with the public.
Six of our facilities—Kızıldere 1-2-3 Geothermal Power Plants, Lüleburgaz Natural Gas Power Plant, and Alaşehir Geothermal Power Plant—hold ISO 14046 Water Footprint certification.
For details on our ISO 14001, ISO 14046 certifications, and CDP reports, please visit our Sustainability Approach page.
We conduct comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) during project phases, focusing on water regulations and ecosystem preservation. You can review the Environmental Permits Table for details on our EIA and permitting processes.
Environmental Permits Table
Zorlu Enerji Water Management
Water Recovery Efforts
At our Kızıldere 3 Geothermal Power Plant, we use a reverse osmosis (RO) system to meet water demand internally rather than from the grid. By processing geothermal water to achieve parameters suitable for usage, we prevent water consumption from the grid. The RO system removes dissolved salts, minerals, and other impurities through a special membrane filter using pressure. Similarly, at our Lüleburgaz thermal power plant, water requirements for steam production are partially met through process water recovery.
What’s Next?
We aim to establish science-based targets in line with the Science Based Targets Network’s forthcoming freshwater methodology. Through this framework, we will map potential water impacts across our supply chain, further strengthening our proactive approach to protecting water resources.
