Fifty-five years of joint endeavor: a new journey of energy cooperation along the Silk Road

The year 2026 marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Türkiye. Over more than half a century of mutual support, the two great civilizations have engaged in extensive exchanges and mutual learning. The bond between the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and Türkiye's "Middle Corridor" plan has deepened significantly, with energy cooperation emerging as a solid pillar of strategic mutual trust and win-win partnership between the two countries. Through its subsidiary EMBA Elektrik Üretim A.Ş. (hereinafter referred to as "EMBA Company") in Türkiye, State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC) has been deeply engaged in Türkiye's energy market for over a decade, closely aligning with Türkiye's energy security strategy and green energy transition policies. Guided by ESG principles, EMBA Company has pursued high-quality development and written a remarkable chapter of China-Türkiye energy cooperation on the shores of Iskenderun Bay.

The Hunutlu Thermal Power Plant, which is funded, constructed, and operated by EMBA Company, is the largest direct investment project by a Chinese enterprise in Türkiye. With a total investment of approximately $1.6 billion, the plant features two 660 MW ultra-supercritical thermal power units, generating over 10 billion kWh of electricity annually, which accounts for about 3 percent of Türkiye's yearly power output. The units have achieved over 8,000 operating hours per year for three consecutive years, setting a new industry record in the local market. The plant applies a technology that combines the cooling tower and flue gas stack, making it Türkiye's first power plant which does not have a stack. Moreover, its environmental emission quality can also surpass EU standards. To protect the local ecosystem, the project has involved an investment of over $100 million, achieving a harmonious coexistence between industrial development and ecological conservation, earning high praise from Turkish authorities and environmental organizations.

EMBA Company adheres to a "thermal power + new energy" dual-drive strategy, striving to build Türkiye's largest hybrid energy base. The company has developed photovoltaic (PV) clean energy projects by utilizing vacant land and building rooftops within the project zone, making demonstration projects for "thermal-solar hybrid" power generation. There is also a 65.78 MW Rixos Hotel PV BOT project in the company's investment portfolio. By actively participating in intergovernmental cooperation projects between China and Türkiye, EMBA Company is also laying out large-scale wind and solar power bases, contributing to Türkiye's renewable energy installed capacity and promoting the diversification of its energy structure.

The project has always adhered to a localized operating philosophy, embodying the principle of win-win cooperation. During the construction phase, it employed 600 to 850 Turkish workers, and since coming into commercial operation, it has consistently provided over 700 stable local jobs. It has trained more than 350 local technical professionals in the power sector and given rise to the coordinated development of local industries such as building materials and logistics, truly realizing the goal of "driving regional economy and benefiting local communities." The plant laid a solid safety foundation, designed to withstand a magnitude-9 earthquake. During the major earthquake in 2023, the Hunutlu Thermal Power Plant was the only power plant in the Adana region that operated uninterruptedly at near-full capacity, ensuring emergency power supply to the disaster zone. The company also proactively assisted in disaster relief efforts, donating supplies and sheltering affected employees, demonstrating with concrete actions an "unshakable Chinese commitment." These efforts were highly recognized by China's Ministry of Emergency Management and Türkiye's Ministry of Energy.

Looking ahead, EMBA Company will take the 55th anniversary of China-Türkiye diplomatic relations as a new starting point to further deepen practical cooperation with Türkiye in the energy sector. In line with Türkiye's energy policy direction, the company will consolidate its strengths in clean coal-fired power while accelerating the deployment of new energy projects in photovoltaics, wind power, energy storage, and other areas. It will promote the local implementation and upgrading of China's advanced technologies, standards, and solutions, supporting Türkiye's efforts to enhance energy self-sufficiency and accelerate its green transition.

Through fifty-five years of trials and triumphs, the Silk Road spirit has been passed down from generation to generation. SPIC will continue to use energy as a bridge and green development as a medium, deepening its presence in the Turkish market and delivering more high-quality, environmentally friendly projects that align with local policies and benefit local communities. In doing so, it will contribute to elevating the China-Türkiye strategic partnership and to the sustainable energy development of Türkiye, jointly building a prosperous future for both nations.