- What are you doing for society during this pandemic?
TİDER (Basic Needs Association), which I founded, has accomplished significant things to date. I even wrote a blog post about what was accomplished during this period: https://www.serhansuzer.com/tr/salginda-tiderden-onemli-katkilar . I will write another post soon. To summarize, as of June 2020:
– With cash support from Coca-Cola Turkey and in collaboration with the Red Crescent, we will provide basic food and hygiene support to 150,000 families through food banks in our network across seven regions and 29 provinces.
– Pepsi Turkey is also providing food aid to food banks in the TİDER network.
– As a result of our collaboration with Cargill, we sent 400 food and cleaning packages to the İzmit Municipality, 150 food and cleaning packages to the İzmit District Governorate, and 600 food and cleaning packages to the Balıkesir Municipality.
– The Earth Cooperative launched a special campaign for TİDER. The cooperative’s food parcels, called “Basic Needs Parcels,” can be purchased and donated to those in need or directly to TİDER.
– In support of this campaign, Dr. Mehmet Toprak launched his own campaign. He announced that he would provide free online consultations to those who purchase parcels from the Dünya Cooperative and donate them to TİDER.
– Trendyol provided links to the donation pages of 12 other charities, including TİDER, on its website.
– YogaZero.com donated one week’s income to TİDER in April.
– It has been decided that the April income from the monthly breakfast meetings traditionally held by the members of the Women’s Entrepreneurs Association (KAGİDER) will be donated to TİDER. Emin Çapa will be the speaker at the meeting, which will be held digitally on 30 April.
The following items were donated to our Support Market in Maltepe, Istanbul:
– E-Bebek; 704 baby supplies
– TEGV; 171 boxes of chocolate
– Colgate – Palmolive; 10,000 hygiene products
– Tat Gıda – Sek; 648 kg yogurt, 300 ml. 7680 units (2304 liters) of ayran
– Şölen Çikolata; 140 kg chocolate/candy
– Kent Mondelez; 400 kg chocolate/candy
– Gıda Borsası 23,530 boxes of bleach tablets (These tablets, produced as bleach extract, can produce a total of 172,800 liters of bleach).
I’d also like to announce our new activities. We plan to open the Automat Food Bank before the end of June. With this new system, we will support thousands of people in need while adhering to social distancing rules. Those in need will be able to pick up their food, cleaning supplies, children’s supplies, and pet supplies (animals) from our vending machines.
Besides all this, I’ve also started producing masks at a time when they were most needed. I initially reached an agreement with the state institution USHAŞ, and now I’m releasing them to the free market. Frankly, I started this when everyone was desperately searching for masks. I decided to do this in March, when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, and I realized I needed to do something extra. I’ll be doing this for a while; I want to contribute to solving the mask shortage in our country and around the world. This could include not only masks but other equipment as well. However, perhaps after a while, if I see that supply in our country and around the world easily meets demand, I might not continue this work. We’ll see.
- When do you think the COVID-19 pandemic will end?
The perception that the pandemic has begun to subside has emerged when the rules are relaxed. This is actually a very dangerous misconception. The pandemic is ongoing. In fact, if we continue to return to our social lives at this pace (Istanbul traffic was close to pre-pandemic levels this week), a second wave will be inevitable. Some countries are currently experiencing a second wave. Therefore, this pandemic is not over, and it won’t end until a vaccine or medication is found to eradicate the COVID-19 virus. I hope the experts working on this issue, the healthcare sector, and government agencies act quickly, and a method to deal with this virus is discovered as soon as possible. Otherwise, we will suffer until the virus is eradicated, perhaps for years.
- Are you adhering to the “Stay at Home” campaign?
Yes, everyone here has been working from home since 16 March. In fact, we made the radical decision to close our headquarters last week (the week of 8 June 2020). We realized that there was no need for an office and that we could manage our business very efficiently by working from home. However, as our production facilities expand in the future, we will certainly have offices and workspaces there. Of course, if the pandemic isn’t passed, we will create a work environment where the rules are strictly enforced.
- Are you experiencing difficulties in your work life? Do you have to deal with people like vultures when you’re in a difficult situation?
Yes, the last three years have been the most difficult times of my life. However, if you put the necessary willpower, you learn to cope with these challenges. Challenges that don’t kill you actually make you stronger. I plan to complete my rebuilding this summer and start a new chapter in my life. I’ll continue to do my best to achieve this.
Unfortunately, during this process, I’ve learned to be cautious and not trust people from the outset. This includes those closest to me. My good intentions have been taken advantage of many times. Therefore, from now on, instead of trusting and letting go, I will meticulously examine everything and delve into every detail. So, from now on, I won’t be giving away anymore. I will also build my core team from very young people I’ve mentored or approached through references from people whose ideas and opinions I trust, who I’ve tested repeatedly, and who I’m confident I can trust.
- Why did you get into this business? When did you first consider getting into sustainability and renewable energy?
I’ve been skiing since I was 5. Even then, I noticed the rapid decline in snow quality and precipitation. This deeply distressed me. So, I was aware of climate change from a very young age. Later, during my adolescence, I began to think about how to combat climate change and realized that one of the most important tools is renewable energy. Renewable energy, especially solar energy, has become a passion for me. During my university years, I constantly read articles on this subject and strived to improve myself. Technology development and the emergence of different models became a passion for me.
When I decided to leave the family business, my first venture in December 2011 was related to solar energy. I ventured into both solar energy (CSP) and a technology that was being commercialized. This was a rather risky move for a first-time venture. I pursued my passions for solar energy and technology development entirely.
- Why did you choose to attend a foreign university instead of studying in Turkey?
The best thing I did during my teenage years was attend a school to improve my English during the summers. I had a lot of fun there and improved my English significantly. I did this from age 12 – 16. The school got better every year. At that time, I decided to study abroad because I was very attracted to the liberal environment and the potential for self-improvement.
I was preparing for the US because I believed the best universities were in the US. One day, over dinner, a family friend asked, “Wouldn’t you consider Canada?” Until then, Canada hadn’t crossed my mind. “Why not?” I replied and decided to give it a try.
A year before applying to universities, I visited their campuses. Perhaps I was looking for a school that could change my life and improve my skills.
Following recommendations, I went to Montreal. I fell in love with the McGill University campus and the city of Montreal at first sight. I said, “This is my place,” and placed it at the top of my list of priorities. I managed to get into McGill University, my first choice.
I’m so glad I studied in Canada. It has benefited me so much.
- Should YEKDEM (Renewable Energy Resources Support Mechanism) be extended?
Let me offer a brief explanation for our readers who aren’t familiar with the subject. YEKDEM was established in 2011 and operates under the “Law No. 5346 on the Use of Renewable Energy Resources for the Purpose of Generating Electricity.” The “Regulation on the Certification and Support of Renewable Energy Resources” establishes the procedures and principles regarding the duties and authorities of public legal entities and the rights and responsibilities of real and legal entities in order to regulate the establishment and operation of YEKDEM.
Energy generation facilities can benefit from YEKDEM. The Law No. 5346 on the Use of Renewable Energy Resources for the Purpose of Generating Electricity (YEK Law) lists the following electrical energy generation resources: wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, gas derived from biomass (including landfill gas), wave, current, and tidal, as well as hydroelectric power plants suitable for the establishment of canal or river-type facilities or those with a reservoir area of less than fifteen square kilometers. Investors with renewable energy plants benefiting from YEKDEM can sell the electricity they generate at a subsidized price per kWh. For example, you can sell electricity generated from a solar power plant at 13.3 cents/kWh, and if you own a wind power plant, you can sell it at 7.3 cents/kWh for 10 years. If you use domestically produced products in your renewable energy plant, you can also take advantage of the subsidy and increase the price even further for five years. After five years, your price returns to the original subsidized price. You can sell at your subsidized price for the second five-year period.
The YEKDEM mechanism expires at the end of this year, and renewable energy producers will now be able to sell at free market prices starting next year.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, which has impacted the entire world and negatively impacted many sectors, many industry demands have naturally arisen to postpone the application deadline of 31 October 2020.
In my opinion, the YEKDEM period should be extended until the installed renewable energy capacity in our country surpasses the capacity of fossil fuel power plants. This is not a specific date, but if there is a strong will, the share of renewable energy will come first within three years.
If public officials do not share this view, at least a one-year postponement should be implemented due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Because in this environment, with borders constantly opening and closing, and collective work posing risks, completing the construction of renewable energy plants is more difficult than jumping over a ditch.
I invite decision-makers to make this extension decision on behalf of the sector, considering the extraordinary situation created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- What exactly does the “Monthly Settlement and Unlicensed Electricity Generation Regulation in the Electricity Market” cover?
Monthly offset regulation mandates that fully solar-powered production facilities be implemented only as rooftop and facade applications. Now, individuals or legal entities can generate electricity and supply surplus energy to the grid without the obligation to obtain a license or establish a company. The regulation imposes certain requirements. For example, production and consumption facilities must be within the same distribution area, and the production facility must be actively generating electricity. The business owner must report the amount of electricity supplied to and withdraw from the grid to the relevant supplier company by the sixth day of each month. To qualify for a “Production Resource Certificate,” the network operator must sign a connection agreement and system use agreement for generations from renewable energy sources. A Production Resource Certificate can only be issued once for the same billing period, so proper planning is crucial for the operator. Established production facilities will be assessed under the YEKDEM system in accordance with the legislation. The excess electricity supplied to the grid as a result of monthly offsetting will be valid for 10 years from the date the facility is commissioned. Excess electricity will be available for purchase for 10 years by the supplier company in the region where production and consumption will take place.
- Will the “Unlicensed Electricity Generation Regulation in the Electricity Market” alone be sufficient?
Energy models worldwide are beginning to be built on “on-site production and on-site consumption” and “renewable energy.” We need to take steps more quickly to support this trend. Laws and regulations are important, of course, but we need to look at the core of the issue and what happens in practice. There are fundamental risks inherent in the possibility of insufficient demand for self-consumption. First and foremost, everyone can face significant challenges in implementation. It is crucial to ensure that municipalities or relevant institutions and organizations will not create difficulties in the installation of these power plants. These practices must be impartial, transparent, and implemented within a specific timeframe. Permit issuance processes need to be expedited and simplified. There are many successful examples around the world. We need to learn from these examples as the regulation is implemented.
In other words, simply enacting the best possible law or regulation is not enough. All stakeholders must be aligned in implementation and enforcement, providing all possible conveniences for the transition to renewable energy. You might say that a law is a law, but unfortunately, significant differences and challenges can arise in its implementation in Turkey. This must be addressed.
Finally, to truly open up the rooftop market, financing needs to be simplified. For this, financial institutions need to thoroughly understand this business model and pave the way for advantageous lending. Equally important, amendments need to be made to the relevant law for the launch of the PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) model. In other words, the sale of electricity generated from renewable energy plants built on rooftops or land must be facilitated directly to consumers. This way, investments made at the point of consumption can be financed by third-party investors.
The 90th Turkish Football League started this week (the week of 12 June 2020). What are your thoughts on this decision? Do you think sports events should be played during this pandemic? As someone who loves football, and indeed all sports, I believe that continuing the league is a mistake. Playing these matches, especially in team sports and high-contact competitions, carries significant risks.
I understand the continuation of non-contact sports like tennis, table tennis, and badminton, but in sports like football, basketball, and volleyball, where contact is prevalent, if one athlete, God forbid, tests positive, it affects everyone on the field. I don’t think there’s a testing mechanism that can accurately determine whether, they’re positive. Sometimes, during the incubation period of the virus or during certain periods, someone who tests negative can test positive within a day or two. In that case, you’re putting the 22 players who worked hard during the match, and even everyone on the bench, at risk.
In other words, the Turkish Basketball Federation made the right decision to cancel the leagues this year. In my opinion, the Turkish Football Federation should have made the same decision. While I personally believe Galatasaray is the closest contender for this year’s championship and I deeply desire it, I believe the decision to cancel the leagues should have been made. The most important thing is human health; the rest is just details. I’ll share the details in my next blog post.
Tag: health
