First, let’s get to know SKD Turkey, which has undertaken an important mission in Turkey (I am sharing this by quoting from their website: https://www.skdturkiye.org/):
“Since 2005, we have been a leading civil society organization working to promote the adoption and implementation of sustainable development approaches in the business world and to raise awareness in this area.
We guide our members on their sustainability journey, taking concrete steps to combat the climate crisis, protect natural resources, and achieve an inclusive economic transformation, and we contribute to a more livable, balanced, and sustainable future.
We work together with the business world to achieve unity in practice, net-zero emission targets, and sustainable system transformation; we accelerate the transformation with projects, reports, and tools that contribute to sustainable development goals.”
Our Vision
In line with our country’s 2053 Net Zero target, we are working to build a sustainable and prosperous future, empowered by our members.
To make this vision a reality, we work with our members to integrate sustainability into their business practices and support the infrastructure that will produce lasting solutions focusing on climate, nature, and social justice. Drawing strength from our members, we inspire our stakeholder ecosystem by leading the way in sustainability with a commitment to transforming business models.
Together, we guide best practices for a more livable future, develop new collaborations, contribute to policy processes, and support sustainable transformation with the tools and projects we develop.
We are the regional network and business partner of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) in Turkey. We share the sustainability issues arising from this collaboration with our members participating in working groups and with our stakeholders on numerous platforms.
Leveraging the global experience and expertise of our umbrella organization, WBCSD, we contribute to policy processes, promote green financing models, and support the monitoring of policies developed for sustainable development.
We support our members’ access to global knowledge and aim to advance the business world towards sustainability goals.
Our Mission
We believe that a sustainable future is possible through the transformation of the business world.
To provide tools and projects that will increase the competitiveness of our companies.
Within this mission, we work with our members to accelerate transformation processes, make sustainable development a priority in the business world, and develop strategies and practices that will increase environmental and social impact.
To carry out work that contributes to policy development.
We establish competitive solutions and collaborations in priority impact and structure areas such as climate, nature, and inclusion; and we support sustainable transformation with tools and solutions that contribute to policy development.
Our Goal
To strengthen and disseminate the concept of sustainable development in the business world and the public in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
To encourage the increase of good practices related to sustainable development and to ensure the promotion of these practices.
Having introduced you to SKD Turkey, let’s now move on to the event. Below, I am sharing a summary of the announcement they made regarding this field event, which they call “Greenpoint”:
GREENPOINT: On-Site Sustainability Days
Organized by our member EKORE and hosted by Soliterm Group & MMG, Hybrid Solar Energy System (PV + PTC) | Tire, İzmir
2026 – Second Meeting of the Series
SKD Turkey’s GreenPoint – On-Site Sustainability Days series, which focuses on application-based learning and cross-sector experience sharing, is holding its second meeting in 2026 in Tire, hosted by MMG and organized by our member Ekore in collaboration with Soliterm Group.
During this special visit, we will experience together the practical application of renewable energy integration in high-temperature processes in industry.
The hybrid solar energy system (PV + PTC) established in Tire district of İzmir is not just an energy investment; it stands out as a strategic and scalable model of low-carbon production.
Facility features:
- 10,000 m² solar area
- 500 parabolic trough collectors
- 3.5 MWth peak capacity
- 180–190°C operating temperature
- Direct integration into industrial processes
The hybrid structure, designed together with its photovoltaic system; It offers a holistic energy approach that reduces dependence on fossil fuels in both electricity and thermal energy.
Climate Impact
- Approximately 3,000 tons of CO₂ reduction annually
- Prevention of a total of 12,000 tons of emissions since 2022
This model serves as a strong reference demonstrating that energy transformation is possible not only in electricity but also in process heat.
What will we discuss at this GreenPoint?
- High-temperature solar thermal integration
- PV + PTC hybrid system architecture
- Challenges encountered in the initial investment process
- Financing model, incentive mechanisms and ROI
- Energy cost predictability
- Contribution to ESG performance and reporting of carbon reduction
- Scalability to different sectors
Speakers
- Serhan Süzer
- Dr. Ahmet Lokurlu – General Manager, Soliterm Group
Event Details
Date: 26 March 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Location: Ramada by Wyndham Tire & MMG Facility – Tire / İzmir
I arrived in Tire the night before. I stayed at the Ramada by Wyndham hotel, located at the entrance to the center of Tire. I liked the large fitness center at the hotel entrance; I woke up early in the morning and did cardio and weight training there. Afterwards, I took a shower, completed my preparations, and went down for breakfast.
I met Alaattin, from our old team, in the breakfast room and we had breakfast together. Alaattin was one of the first interns of EkoRE, which we started in 2013-14. Now he’s a brilliant PV expert engineer. I invited Alaattin, who is an expert in PV (photovoltaic) systems that generate electricity, to also learn about CSP systems that generate heat.
After breakfast, I finished the final preparations and went down to the hall. It was around 9:00 AM, and when I arrived, we addressed all the shortcomings, starting with the presentation being projected onto the screen.
All the hotel staff, especially the general manager, were very helpful. I didn’t expect such personalized service in Tire. Thanks to this support, we were ready for the program at 10:00 AM. Mr. Ahmet also entered the hall around 9:45 AM. The group that arrived by plane that morning joined a little late.
Opening, Plaques, and Speeches
We started the program around 10:30 AM. Beforehand, the general secretary of SKD Turkey gave a beautiful speech, and after the opening speech, he kindly presented us with a plaque in commemoration of our 10th year of membership in SKD Turkey. Afterwards, I gave a short speech. After this speech, I gave the floor to our solution partner, Dr. Ahmet Lokurlu. For those who don’t remember Ahmet Bey, you can read my previous article titled “My Meeting with CSP Genius Dr. Ahmet Lokurlu” at this link: https://serhansuzer.com/tr/csp-dehasi-dr-ahmet-lokurlu-ile-tanismam/ . Ahmet Bey also spent an hour explaining the details of the entire system and answering questions.
At 12 o’clock, it was lunchtime. We went up to the terrace for lunch. The menu was excellent. We also tried the Tire meatballs on a bed of eggplant. It lived up to the hype. It was very delicious.
After lunch, around 1:30 PM, we left the hotel and headed to the MM Graphia factory. The general manager of the MM Graphia factory, Fuat Polat Bey, and his team welcomed us very warmly again. After a detailed presentation, Fuat Bey answered many questions in detail during the Q&A session. We generally discussed the initial challenges, the technical implementation process, ROI, and operational gains.
Then we went up to the roof to see the system. Of course, before going up to the roof, we received detailed information about occupational safety, and everyone put on their special shoes, yellow work vests, and helmets. I would also like to congratulate MM Graphia, an Austrian company, and their team for the importance they place on occupational safety.
After seeing the CSP system, we went down to the factory and looked at the areas where the system is applied. Here, we examined the CSP collector area, observed the PV system, and saw the machine rooms, after which technical questions were answered on site.
After examining the system and answering all questions, our work finished around 4:30 PM. We received very positive feedback from all participants, indicating that they learned a lot.
A character trait we miss in our people.
We said goodbye in front of the factory. The trip was very enjoyable for me as well. I would also like to open a separate parenthesis for Tire.
In the group chat, I made the following comment:
“The meatballs in Tire were delicious, but what I liked most was the people. At the hotel, at the factory, everywhere, everyone was very understanding, kind, and eager to help. While in Istanbul, I saw the character of our wonderful people, whom we had missed and longed for for so long, and I liked it.”
It was also observed that all organizations using natural gas could stop increasing carbon emissions with fossil fuels and ultimately deepening the climate crisis, and instead meet their energy-intensive needs such as heating and cooling from concentrated solar power (CSP) in the future.
The opportunity to open the door to a great change
Finally, I want to emphasize that I specifically wanted to write this. Because those reading this might think, “It’s just a technical event, what’s the big deal?” Sometimes a small step towards development can open the doors to great change. The SKD Turkey event represents this for me.
One never knows what life will bring. Throughout your life, you may do many positive things without seeing results, and then suddenly, your destiny shifts in exactly the direction you desired and strived for for years.
Despite all the problems, wars, and disasters, I maintain my optimism. People who know their job, are competent, intelligent, well-intentioned, and act with love and respect will save this world.
