We laid the foundation for energy independence in Niğde Bor

15/03/2019

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We are honored to hold the groundbreaking ceremony for our “100% Domestic Solar Panels for Energy Independence” project, which we have been working on for a long time with our team of experienced experts and which was awarded the “Super Incentive” for our investments, on 11 March 2019, with the participation of our Minister of Energy, Niğde Member of Parliament, Niğde Governor, and esteemed public officials.

I’ve previously written several articles about our Integrated Solar Panel Production Facility project in Niğde Bor. You can find the links to these articles below:

https://www.serhansuzer.com/tr/enerji-bagimsizligi-icin-100-yerli-gunes-paneli

https://www.serhansuzer.com/tr/turkiye-enerji-bagimsizligi-icin-100-yerli-gunes-paneline-kavusuyor

https://www.serhansuzer.com/tr/turkiye-icin-milat-niteliginde-bir-gunes-enerjisi-projesi

To summarize these articles, we took the first concrete step in this project, which I’ve been dreaming of for nearly six years, applied for incentives two years ago, and was awarded a 4.2 billion lira incentive by being published in the Official Gazette last June, by laying the groundwork last Monday.

We’d been planning the groundbreaking ceremony in Niğde for a long time. Our initial goal for laying the foundation for our factory was May. When Niğde Member of Parliament Yavuz Ergun called me a few weeks ago and asked, “Mr. Serhan, our Minister of Energy, Fatih Sönmez, will be visiting our city on 11 March. Can we hold the groundbreaking on that date?” I told him that we were originally planning to break ground around May, but that we could certainly move it forward if they requested it. I said I would call back to confirm after speaking with my team.

Intensive preparations for the opening, which was brought forward two months.

After meeting with the relevant managers on the team and the contractor who would prepare the site, I called the Niğde MP and told him that time was quite tight, but that the team believed we could complete the opening on 11 March. After concluding and confirming my remarks by saying, “Congratulations on the opening on 11 March,” I called the team again and informed them that we were taking action, and began preparations.

As a Turkish tradition, I can say that preparations continued until the last day. I wish everything could proceed according to plan and schedule like the Germans. Unfortunately, this is not possible in Türkiye. Fortunately, despite the short time before the opening, thanks to the good weather, we were able to complete the site in time. I can say that the hard work of both the contractor, Mr. Serdar, and another Serdar, the manager of the event organization, in coordination with our team, was highly effective. The extraordinary work done by the Niğde Special Administration regarding the roads leading to our land also contributed significantly to our site preparation.

In short, everyone worked tirelessly day and night to complete the work on schedule. I also traveled to Niğde once during this time to prepare for the opening. Meeting with all relevant parties and seeing that everything was proceeding as planned, I was relieved.

The entire team that had been preparing the site for the groundbreaking ceremony for the past few days had finally relaxed, and we began to complete our final tasks. The only question on our minds was that the weather forecast indicated very high winds during the opening. Even chairs could fly around in such strong wind.

We discussed the necessary precautions and our backup plans. We were now ready for the opening.

For the groundbreaking ceremony, which was to take place on Monday, 11 March, we traveled to Niğde via Ankara the day before, along with our financial advisor, Bora Bey, and cameraman, Evren Bey. The excitement of the groundbreaking ceremony began early the next morning.

My message-filled opening speech

At 9:00 a.m., we attended a coordination meeting at the governor’s office as a team. From there, we all drove to the site where the groundbreaking ceremony would take place. After the tests and final routine checks, I sat at one of the cocktail reception tables, writing my speech. I hadn’t prepared beforehand due to lack of time. That was okay, because I had my words already in mind. I had it down in half an hour.

I originally planned to convey my thoughts without any text, but since I was going to be addressing important issues in front of a crowded courtroom, I thought it would be more appropriate to jot down my thoughts to avoid missing anything.

I’d like to share the video of my opening speech, which contains many messages:

For better understanding, I’m also sharing the full text of the speech and an explanation of the messages I delivered below (you can find my additional explanations in parentheses just below the messages):

Mr. Minister, Mr. Governor, esteemed Members of Parliament, and esteemed participants,

First of all, I’d like to express my gratitude.

I would like to express my gratitude to our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, for his significant contributions to and patronage of our investments by implementing a project-based incentive system; to our Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Mr. Fatih Dönmez; to our Minister of Industry and Technology, Mr. Mustafa Varank; to our Minister of Finance and Treasury, Mr. Berat Albayrak; to our Minister of Trade, Ms. Ruhsar Pekcan; to our former Minister of Economy, Mr. Nihat Zeybekçi; to the Governor of Niğde, Mr. Yılmaz Şimşek, whose interest and support we have always felt throughout our investment preparation and planning processes; to Niğde Members of Parliament, Mr. Yavuz Ergun and Selim Gültekin; and to Bor Mayor, Mr. Sıtkı Erat.

(I read the above thank-you paragraph directly from my notes so as not to miss anyone here.)

Now, let’s get to our project…

We are one of 19 companies that received the Super Incentive. The Super Incentive we received is approximately 4.2 billion TL.

Two figures are confusing here. The investment amount subject to the incentive is 3.8 billion TL, while the incentive to be received is approximately 4.2 billion TL.)

There’s a misperception about the incentive. Everyone perceives it as if they’ve won the national lottery. This perception is incorrect.
This incentive will be valid for tax and other operational matters after we make the $700 million investment, begin production, begin sales, and generate revenue.

(This is exactly the situation. Everyone talks about the government giving us direct money; they’re consciously or unconsciously spreading this perception. This is untrue. We will only be able to use this incentive within the specified limits after we’ve invested $700 million, commissioned the factory, and fulfilled obligations such as taxes, customs, and electricity. In other words, without investment, there will be no incentive. I’m asking this question at a time when we’re going through a serious economic crisis: Who would undertake such an investment?)

The incentive mechanism is truly critical for attracting such a significant amount of capital to our country for these types of strategic investments.
After a long preparation process for this factory investment, we are ready in every respect and are laying the foundation today. All we need is to accelerate our work and facilitate the entry of foreign capital into our country to continue this work with a solid financing structure. We have conveyed our request to the Ministry of Industry and Technology, and we are awaiting their final approval.

(We will complete the foreign capital process after receiving permission from the Ministry of Industry and Technology. This permission is essential for us to complete the necessary restructuring to bring such capital into our country during this period. We await good news.)

Our project area is approximately 620 decares. This corresponds to approximately 85 soccer fields.

(I saw Deniz in Ankara the day before. Deniz asked this question. You may remember Deniz from my previous blog post. He’s the prodigy whose wheelchair I pushed with his Adım Adım friends in Runatolia. I did the math right away. I decided to use this example in my speech to help people visualize it.)

Everyone asks what we’ll do on such a large plot of land, and I remind them that we will build a massive facility that combines four important processes in crystal technology: ingot, wafer, cell, and module production. In fact, our area is sufficient for 2 GW of production. Therefore, we will double the initially planned 1 GW of capacity if necessary.

(I hope to increase capacity to 2 GW in the future due to the surge in demand.)

If we realize this investment, Niğde will become the center of solar energy in Türkiye, and Türkiye will become one of the major centers of solar energy in the global economy.

(If we achieve our goals, this is precisely where we will be.)

We plan to employ 1,500 people at our factory. With our attractiveness and collaboration with top-tier solar energy companies, employment here will reach 5,000. I want to share two messages with you here:
First and foremost, our hiring criterion will be merit. In other words, we will hire anyone who is good at their job, qualified, of good character, and hardworking. Even my relatives who do not meet these criteria will not be hired. Our stance on this matter is clear. We will follow the same procedures for everyone in human resources.

(We will absolutely not compromise on this issue. No one should come to us just because they’re a relative, a villager, or a cousin. As I stated in my speech, we will implement the same human resources procedures for everyone. Being qualified won’t be enough. We will also conduct character tests. We will hire people with good and positive character.)

My second message is that we want to make this place a solar energy hub, and we want top-tier companies producing inverters, solar cables, construction equipment, and battery systems to come here with us and gather around us. We are absolutely against the concentration of outside companies, or second- or third-tier companies completely unknown in the sector, in our area, designated as the “Solar Energy Specialization Area.” Outside pulse, potato, and leather companies should be located on the other side of the Bor OIZ, and top-tier solar energy companies should gather on our side. This is the right planning. We have also submitted our requests to the relevant channels regarding this matter.

(Despite my repeated warnings to the Bor Organized Industrial Zone manager on this matter—and they consistently agreed with me—unfortunately, mistakes were made. I won’t go into detail here. However, I want to emphasize that I expect these errors to be corrected.)

We plan to export globally from Mersin Port, and in our long-term plan, we will export 80% of our products.

(If there is no demand in Türkiye, we are ready to export 100% of our products. However, we also recognize that our country needs these products the most. I want to emphasize that political will and amendments to laws and regulations are essential for fully benefiting from our sun. Solar cells and panels could become available in every corner of the country very soon.

Speaking of exports, let me share some good news. We agreed to sell 200 MW of products abroad before we even started production. We are currently working on the documentation for this. Hopefully, we will formalize this sale.

(The “offtake” agreement, meaning where the product will be sold, was crucial during the investment process. We received demand from Europe and South Asia for the first products. We hope to complete the documentation process soon.)

Our investment will develop the region and change the face of Niğde.

(I hope the people of Niğde are aware that the face of their province will be completely transformed. I don’t expect thanks from anyone for this. It’s enough for us if they don’t cast a shadow, create difficulties, or spread false, unfounded, and unnecessary gossip behind our backs. It might sound a bit cliché, but I want to convey my true feelings here: With this investment, we’re not just making a mess, we’re making a big deal, and we’re doing this out of pure love for our country.)

Our factory will also bring high technology to Niğde. With heterojunction technology, we will exceed 23.5%, the highest single-sided cell efficiency in the world. We will be continuously improving this efficiency through R&D efforts.

(I’ve conveyed the results of our technical meetings with this statement.)

In addition to heterojunction technology, we will use “Diamond Wire” technology for thin slicing, achieve high efficiency with “SmartWire Connection” technology, and produce high-quality products with advanced control and testing systems.

(We are working diligently to bring these technologies to Türkiye).

Our first product will be a 335W single-sided 60-cell panel. This will be followed by a 420W double-sided 60-cell panel.

(These figures can be higher, not lower.)

I would also like to share the scope of our R&D activities:

o Increasing cell efficiency

o Reducing costs

o Transforming technologies

o Producing hybrid panels

o Producing flexible panels

o Distributed systems

o Product development (I’m talking about cells that will be placed on necessary products such as flexible panels, hybrid panels, rooftops, vehicle mounts, wheelchairs, and umbrellas.)

(As I mentioned before, our company’s main mission is to provide access to solar energy for everyone in the world. While we will have classic solar panel products, we will also have a diverse product range for every location where solar electricity is needed. I can’t wait to begin working on the details and launch new products accordingly.)

We have embarked on this journey with the goal of 100% domestic solar panel production for energy independence. We will provide a $700 million capital inflow to our country, and through our R&D efforts, we will ensure everyone has access to solar energy at every stage of their lives.

(I summarize my entire speech in this paragraph.)

May it be beneficial for humanity, the homeland, and the nation.

(This is the final sentence I said with all my sincerity.)

Following me, Niğde Deputy Yavuz Ergun spoke. Following this, Niğde Governor Yılmaz Şimşek and Minister Sönmez delivered their speeches. Overall, everyone delivered very positive messages. The importance of such an investment for the country and Niğde province was emphasized, and the progress in energy was discussed.

Afterwards, I personally presented the plaques we had prepared by transforming the cells we planned to produce to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, the governor, and the members of parliament.

The images that emerged as I presented these plaques. Of course, the official song of the ceremony, “My Homeland,” which I personally selected, was played at all important moments throughout the ceremony.

Following this ceremony, the groundbreaking ceremony began. Minister Sönmez pressed the button on the concrete pouring machine brought onto the platform, marking the first pour of concrete.

Thanks were expressed, and the ceremony concluded.

Congratulations and apologies following the ceremony

After the groundbreaking ceremony, many people approached me. I accepted the congratulations. Some people wanted to take pictures with me. I tried not to offend anyone.

The most striking thing I experienced after the ceremony was that the father of a young man who had always been talking about me behind my back (he was in the solar market. I don’t know him. He even published articles about me that were baseless. When I was shown what he had published later, I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was complete nonsense). He came up to me, shook my hand, said he was from Bordeaux, thanked us for providing such a facility, and mentioned the wells that would be fed by the solar power plant. There was clearly some regret, or perhaps even shame.

Similarly, some people came up to me and apologized and asked for forgiveness. Some people with whom I had previously had conflicts had made insulting remarks towards us. After the ceremony, they came to me and apologized profusely.

My opinion of these people is unequivocal. Personally, I want to trust people from the outset. In fact, I’ve been hurt and betrayed by this habit. However, once I let them go, my relationships will never return. I don’t hold grudges, but these people will never come near me. Losing me completely would be the greatest punishment I’d inflicted on them. I also leave them to God.

There are many others like these who will apologize to me and feel remorse, who have degraded their standards and wronged me severely. I’m telling them now: When I succeed in reflecting my vision and the value of my work is recognized, don’t come near me.

In conclusion, the groundbreaking ceremony was completed successfully. Even the wind we feared would cause problems didn’t cause any problems other than ripping the tarpaulin behind the Governor and blowing for five minutes during the ceremony. Everything went smoothly.

True statesmanship and a wonderful summary

I think Ali İlker Atabay, who oversees special projects in the governor’s office, best summarized our feelings. I’d like to add my signature:

“11 March 2019. This date marks the day when the efforts of those who shouldered the brunt of our country, those who pondered, and those who labored began to come to life and take shape. This date serves as a lesson to those incompetents who try to write so-called success stories without contributing or producing anything intellectually, intellectually, or materially. May my dearest piece be auspicious and auspicious for my hometown of Bor. Thank you to Serhan Süzer, who opened the door to qualified employment and high technology. Don’t forget today. Just as we won’t forget yesterdays…”

I personally thank Governor Yılmaz Şimşek. He demonstrates what true statesmanship looks like. He does everything they can for the country’s interests, without expecting anything in return.

From now on, our work will be much more difficult. All the vultures are on our watch. Our struggle with those who want to drown and those who truly strive for good will be even tougher. But as always, the good will prevail. Of course, by continuing to be smarter, more resourceful, and more visionary than all the bad.

I’d like to take this opportunity to share the video of our groundbreaking ceremony:

Photo taken with our EkoRE team after the ceremony

Note: The groundbreaking ceremony was covered in numerous national and local print and broadcast media outlets. We were even featured in PV Magazine, the world’s most popular solar energy industry outlet: https://www.pv-magazine.com/2019/03/11/ekore-breaks-ground-on-1-gw-vertically-integrated-module-factory-in-tTürkiye/

In Türkiye, we were featured in all types of media. You can find the news categorized below:

Energy Media

https://www.enerjiportali.com/entregre-gunes-paneli-uretimi-tesisinin-acilisi-gerceklestirildi/

http://www.enerjimagazin.com/haber-6713-Turkiyenin-Ilk-Entegre-Gunes-Paneli-Tesisinin-Temeli-Atildi.html

https://yesilekonomi.com/ekore-nigde-fabrikasinin-temelini-atti/

National Press

http://www.milliyet.com.tr/2019-u-da-rekorlar-yili-olarak-ekonomi-2840722/

https://www.haberler.com/bakan-donmez-2019-u-da-rekorlar-yili-olarak-11825047-haberi/

https://www.star.com.tr/yerel-haberler/2019u-da-rekorlar-yili-olarak-gecirecegiz-3741839/

https://www.tgrthaber.com.tr/ekonomi/ozel-tesvik-alan-gunes-enerji-paneli-uretimi-yapacak-tesisin-temeli-atildi-2633564

National Media

Internet: