Nov 2024
2nd monitoring period ends: Sep 27, 2022 – Nov 19, 2024
- Achieved 751,737 tCO2e in verified emission reductions
- Kömürcüoda generated 121,575 MWh of renewable electricity
Carbon avoidance
Turning waste into clean energy in Turkey
Overview
Site
Timeline
Benefits
Verification
What is greenhouse gas capture?
Landfill waste releases methane, a greenhouse gas at least 28 times stronger than CO2. Landfill gas projects capture it at the source, avoiding emissions by burning it or converting it into energy.
Project summary
Turkey is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, with a rapidly expanding population and urbanisation rate. As the country’s largest city, Istanbul, with its 16 million residents, generates an enormous volume of municipal solid waste (MSW). Historically, much of this waste was deposited in landfills without adequate gas management, leading to high methane emissions—a greenhouse gas 80 times more potent than CO₂ over a 20-year period.
With Turkey’s energy sector heavily reliant on fossil fuels and a growing need for clean, domestic energy solutions, landfill gas (LFG) projects present a vital opportunity. Capturing methane from waste sites not only reduces harmful emissions but also provides a renewable energy source, helping to offset reliance on imported electricity and fossil-fuel-based power generation.
Locations
Turkey
Timeline
Follow the latest milestones and updates from this project.
Oct 2019
Monitoring Period 1: Sep 27, 2019 – Sep 26, 2022
- 1st monitoring period of the 2nd crediting period achieved 2,013,037 tCO2e in verified emission reductions
Nov 2017
Second Crediting Period Start
- Official renewal and start date of the second 7-year crediting period (Nov 20, 2017 – Nov 19, 2024)
Jun 2014
Design changes proposed
- Formal acceptance of design changes granted by Gold Standard
Aug 2010
First Crediting Period Commenced
- Official start of the project's first 7-year crediting period (Aug 21, 2010 – Aug 20, 2017)
Aug 2010
Gold Standard Registration
- The project was formally registered under Gold Standard with ID GS707
Mar 2009
Odayeri Expansion (Phase 2)
- Added 3 x 1.415 MW engines at Odayeri, bringing cumulative site capacity to 7.075 MW
Jan 2009
Kömürcüoda Construction Start
- Construction of the gas collection system began at the Kömürcüoda site
Dec 2008
Odayeri Operations Commenced (Phase 1)
- Electrical energy generation started at Odayeri with 2 x 1.415 MW gas engines (total capacity 2.830 MW)
Apr 2008
Ministry Notification
- A formal letter was sent to the Ministry of Environment and Forestry informing them about the project and the decision to use Verified Emission Reductions (VERs)
Apr 2008
Official Project Start Date & Detailed Design
- Pro2 Anlagentechnik GmbH and Turna Enterprise LLC completed the detailed design for the Odayeri site
Oct 2007
Electricity Generation License Secured
An energy production and sales license was secured from EMRA (Electricity Market Regulatory Authority)
Sep 2007
Landfill Gas Assessment Completed
- Biothermica Technologies Inc. completed the initial landfill gas assessment survey
May 2007
Carbon Credit Strategy Initiation
- The Board of Directors decided to initiate procedures to utilise carbon credits for the project
Mar 2007
Project Rights Acquisition & Tender Award
- Ortadoğu Group won the municipal landfill gas tender for the Odayeri and Kömürcüoda landfill sites in Istanbul
Benefits
Climate
The project captures and utilises landfill gas (LFG) to generate electricity using gas engines and generators, with a flaring system in place for excess LFG combustion. Historically, LFG was left to decay, resulting in large-scale methane emissions. By harnessing LFG, this project:
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Prevents the release of methane, reducing its impact on climate change.
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Generates renewable electricity, feeding into Turkey’s national grid.
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Modernises waste management, making landfills more sustainable.
Key Project Metrics
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Power Generation Units (PGUs) Installed: 5 at Kömürcüoda, 11 at Odayeri, including backup units.
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Total Expected Emission Reductions (7-year period): 6,011,001 tCO₂e, significantly mitigating methane emissions.
Nature
The Istanbul LFG Project supports multiple sustainability objectives, delivering environmental, economic, and social benefits:
Environmental Protection – Reduces landfill odours, fire hazards, and explosion risks, improving public health.
Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions – Offsets emissions from Turkey’s fossil-fuel-dominated power grid.
People
The Istanbul LFG Project supports multiple sustainability objectives, delivering environmental, economic, and social benefits:
Job Creation – Provides employment during both construction and operations.
Community Well-being – Minimises the landfill’s environmental impact, enhancing the quality of life for local residents.
Energy Security – Reduces reliance on imported electricity, contributing to Turkey’s energy independence.
SDGs supported
Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy. The project converts methane from landfill gas (LFG)—a previously wasted resource—into electricity, adding clean, renewable energy to Turkey’s national grid. Using LFG for power generation helps reduce reliance on fossil fuels and boosts energy efficiency by transforming a waste by-product into a valuable energy source. By generating domestic electricity, the project decreases Turkey’s dependence on imported fossil fuels, enhancing long-term energy stability.
Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all. This project supports Turkey’s move toward a circular economy by integrating waste management with energy production, fostering innovation and economic resilience.
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. By installing power generation units and flaring systems, the project builds resilience and reduces the long-term climate risks associated with unmanaged waste.
Verification
These partners help deliver the project and verify its impact.
Verifiers
