Things You Should Know Before Developing a Solar/Wind Power Project on Your Land

In our country, where energy investments are steadily increasing, unfortunately, many problems are encountered during the investment phase. Most of these problems negatively affect the investor's interest in the project, prolonging the process and turning it into a "bunch of problems." Failure to complete the project within the targeted timeframe leads to extraordinary increases in costs.

Is it state-owned land or privately owned land?

In solar/wind power plant investments, the process varies significantly depending on the land ownership status:

• For privately owned land: Site selection, feasibility studies, zoning plans, and permit processes are carried out by the investor.

• For treasury lands: In addition, a tender process and contract signing with the National Real Estate Administration are required.

How does the process work?

The process begins with the selection of the land; then a long "marathon" begins with obtaining the necessary opinions from the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture, applying for a Letter of Invitation, and continuing with the process of preparing the zoning plan.

1. Site Selection and Preliminary Assessments: The suitability of the land is evaluated, and opinions are obtained from relevant institutions such as the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture.

2. Call Letter Process: A call letter regarding network connection capacity is obtained from the relevant electricity distribution company.

3. Zoning Plan Process: Opinions must be obtained from approximately 30 different official institutions regarding the plan. Simultaneously , geological survey studies and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) processes, which form the basis of the plan, are planned and carried out.

4. Approval and Public Review Process: After all studies are completed, the zoning plan is approved and a 30-day public review period begins. If no objections are received during this period, the approving authority notifies the relevant institutions that the plan is finalized, and the plan comes into effect.

5. Zoning Application: In privately owned properties, it is essential to carry out the application according to Articles 15-16 of the Zoning Law. However, some municipalities want to proceed with this process through Article 18 — in this case, a surveying process that could normally be completed in about 6 weeks can be extended up to 6 months , and the investor can suffer serious losses.

6. Registration: Upon completion of the zoning plan, the process concludes with registration procedures at the relevant Cadastre and Land Registry Office.

7. EPC and Installation: The facility becomes operational after the selection of the EPC (engineering-procurement-construction) firm, obtaining the building permit from the municipality, on-site installation according to the work schedule, and the completion of the TEDAŞ (Turkish Electricity Distribution Company) approval processes .

Why Should You Seek Consulting?

In solar/wind power projects carried out on treasury and private lands, each of the following processes requires separate expertise:

• Site selection and preparation of feasibility reports.

• Conducting tender processes and signing contracts with the National Real Estate Administration (on Treasury lands)

• Obtaining official documents from relevant institutions (e.g., Marginal Agricultural Land)

• Managing the Call for Proposals process at the relevant electricity distribution company.

• Execution of the preparation and approval processes for zoning plans and mapping works.

• Selection of EPC firms

• Handling municipal licensing processes and obtaining building permits.

• Ensuring the field installation is carried out according to the work schedule.

• Completion of TEDAŞ approval processes.

• The facility will become operational with all necessary permits.

At DDD Real Estate, we offer consulting services throughout the entire process of solar/wind power plant investments — our aim is to ensure that investors take the right steps in a timely manner at every stage of the process, without experiencing time and cost losses.

For technical support and consultation, you can share all your questions with us.