Residents of western Turkish village gripe about geothermal plant

Cihan Başakçıoğlu / Gazete Duvar

Villagers in western Turkey’s Aydın province have been raising complaints about the noise and odors produced by a geothermal power plant operating between their communities since 2015. Rights defenders say that authorities did not take any grievances into account. 

The residents of western Turkey’s Aydın province have been adversely affected by a geothermal power plant operating between the İmamköy and Gölcük villages. The plant, which had been in operation for nearly a decade, prompted repeated complaints from locals about noise and odors, particularly during the night.

Residents said their concerns remained unresolved despite filing complaints with authorities, including the Gendarmerie and Turkey’s presidential communications center (CİMER).

Established in 2015, the plant sparked protests due to its proximity to residential areas, including a primary school and a health center. Locals and environmental activists formed a committee at the time, collected 633 signatures, and submitted a petition to the Provincial Directorate of Environment and Urbanization, the Investment Coordination Directorate, and the Public Health Directorate. Concerns were also raised about the plant’s potential negative impact on agriculture and livestock.

İmamköy Neighborhood Head Şahin Evran, speaking to Gazete Duvar, said problems had persisted since the plant’s inception. “We could not escape the noise or the smell since day one. I had a roof over my head, but I cannot sleep at night. They released emissions at night, and the odor was unbearable. I received constant complaints from residents. We called the Gendarmerie numerous times. When the fans started, there was such a hum that everything shook. The noise from the nighttime emissions was also recorded,” Evran said.

Evran also noted the negative effects on agriculture and livestock, which were the main livelihoods for residents. Despite meetings with authorities, no solution was found. 

“Normally, they had fan and return systems, but they didn’t use them because they were expensive. Our village lost its peace. It used to be a model village, but development stalled. Fig harvests decreased, and we had trouble with olives. We hadn’t had a decent yield in five years. People don’t want to live in the village anymore. Those who returned after years of working elsewhere were bothered by the noise and smell and didn’t want to stay.”

Evran issued a final appeal to authorities, saying it was difficult to fight big companies. “No one hears our voice,” he complained. The villagers want necessary measures taken, like filtering at the least to stop the odor. We needed proper inspections.

“We know things will not go back to the way they were, but at least the villagers might find some comfort. We voice the concerns of our community,” the village head concluded. 

(English version by Ayşenaz Toptaş)