Page 89 - TURKRptDec19

9.1.4​ Retail sector news
Since 2010, 88 local and six national food retailers, as well as six discount brands, have gone out of business in Turkey​, either because they were acquired by competitors or simply opted to close their outlets and exit the sector. At present, a total of 234 supermarket chains operate more than 34,000 stores across the country, according to a report by research firm Ortakalan.
9.1.5 ​Tourism sector news
For 2019, the government is targeting revenue generation of $29bn from tourism activities and a foreign tourist tally of 50mn.
In 2018, foreign tourist arrivals increased nearly 22% from the previous year to 39.45mn.
9.1.6 ​Utilities sector news
Over the past five years a total of 214 hydropower plants have gone operational in Turkey but the country plans to build 261 more such facilities in coming years even though electricity output already exceeds local consumption​, Cumhuriyet newspaper has reported, citing data from the energy ministry.
According to the newspaper, Turkey also plans to construct 180 wind power plants and 21 geothermal power plants.
Since 2014, 90 wind power plants and 51 geothermal power plants have come online.
The government is targeting the production of 65% of the country’s power from renewables.
Gulizar Bicer Karaca, a lawmaker from the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), has criticised the plans to build “so many power plants”.
“At present local electricity production is three times higher than local consumption. Excessive energy production means nothing but hikes in electricity prices imposed on citizens to fund those projects,” Karaca claimed.
89​ TURKEY Country Report​ December 2019 ​ ​www.intellinews.com