Sustainable Bioenergy from Agricultural Waste in Türkiye

Türkiye currently lacks a comprehensive inventory of agricultural waste, encompassing both plant residues such as straws, stalks, and husks, and animal byproducts including manure and processing offal. Although these materials are implicitly covered under the “Regulation on General Principles of Waste Management” (Official Gazette No. 26927, 05.07.2008), which is harmonized with European Union directives, no centralized database or systematic survey exists to quantify their volumes or geographic distribution. Without precise data on seasonal crop residues, such as wheat stubble from the Central Anatolia plain or olive pomace from Aegean groves, and on animal waste streams from intensive livestock operations in Thrace or dairy farms in Marmara, policymakers and investors cannot accurately gauge the true potential for converting agricultural waste into bioenergy or biofertilizers.

Establishing a robust, collaborative study led jointly by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change is therefore critical. This initiative would involve field surveys, remote sensing to estimate crop biomass, and farm‐level reporting systems to capture manure generation rates. By integrating data on yields, harvest schedules, and livestock densities, authorities could model the annual tonnage of recoverable biomass. Such an evidence‐based inventory would facilitate strategic planning for waste‐to‐energy facilities, whether on‐farm anaerobic digesters for biogas, centralized pelletization plants for biomass briquettes, or small‐scale composting hubs. Furthermore, aligning this effort with TÜİK’s ongoing agricultural statistics programs would ensure consistency and enable periodic updates. Ultimately, a detailed agricultural waste inventory would unlock significant economic and environmental benefits by reducing open‐field burning, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and providing a reliable feedstock for renewable energy generation and soil amendment practices.

Harnessing Agricultural Waste for Renewable Energy

Türkiye generates over 50 million tons of agricultural waste annually, yet only 10–15% is currently repurposed for energy or composting (TÜİK, 2023). In greenhouse‐intensive regions such as Antalya, Mersin, and İzmir, significant quantities of plant residues, including tomato and pepper vines, plastic mulch, and pruning waste, accumulate each season. For example, greenhouse farming alone produces approximately 2.5 million tons of organic waste per year, but recycling infrastructure remains limited (Ministry of Agriculture, 2022). The Kumluca Municipality’s greenhouse waste recycling facility exemplifies how these residues can be converted into valuable resources: once operational, it will transform plant waste into compost and biogas for electricity generation, alleviating local disposal challenges and supplying renewable power to the grid (Kumluca Municipality, 2022).

Beyond composting, plant‐based waste can be pelletized or briquetted to serve as a biomass fuel for boilers and generators. Residues such as cereal straw, vineyard prunings, and olive branches can yield biochar and briquettes, reducing open burning and mitigating air pollution. Additionally, feedstock variety allows co‐firing with fossil fuels in existing power plants, thereby reducing carbon intensity.

Animal husbandry also contributes substantially to Türkiye’s waste stream. Manure from cattle, sheep, and poultry averages several million tons annually in livestock‐rich provinces such as Konya, Balıkesir, and Afyon. Through anaerobic digestion, these manures can generate methane‐rich biogas. As of 2023, over 80 biogas plants operate nationwide, producing roughly 150 MW of installed capacity (ENERJİSA, 2023). By co‐digesting crop residues with manure, facilities can increase biogas yield and stabilize feedstock supply. Projections indicate the potential to expand biogas capacity to 500 MW by 2030 (TEİAŞ, 2023), provided regulatory support, investment in digesters, and farmer cooperatives.

Strategic development of both plant‐based and animal‐based waste utilization, backed by public incentives, streamlined permitting, and technical training, could transform Türkiye’s agricultural sector into a cornerstone of its renewable energy transition, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fostering rural economic growth.

Global Trends and EU Policies on Bioenergy

The European Union has emerged as a frontrunner in transforming agricultural residues and organic waste into sustainable energy. Central to this effort is the European Industrial Bioenergy Initiative (EIBI), which identifies seven principal bioenergy pathways: gasification of waste, biomethane production, biocrude (bio‐oil) extraction, ethanol and bio‐alcohol blending, sugar‐to‐hydrocarbon conversion, algae‐based biofuels, and anaerobic digestion for biogas (European Commission, 2022). By promoting these pathways, the EU seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, diversify energy sources, and support the circular economy. Under the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II), member states are mandated to achieve at least 32% of final energy consumption from renewable sources by 2030, with specific targets for advanced biofuels and waste‐based feedstocks to ensure sustainability and minimize land‐use conflicts.

Denmark exemplifies successful implementation of these policies. The country has set an ambitious goal to eliminate fossil fuel use by 2050, with biogas projected to supply approximately 30% of its national energy mix. Through substantial investments in anaerobic digestion facilities, Denmark now processes manure, food waste, and agricultural byproducts at industrial scale, injecting biomethane into the natural gas grid and using digestate as a high‐quality fertilizer. This model not only meets energy targets but also addresses rural waste management challenges and supports farm incomes.

Across the EU, other nations are following suit. Germany has rapidly expanded its network of biogas plants, converting livestock manure and crop residues into green electricity and heat for local communities. Sweden integrates forest residues and agricultural waste into combined‐heat‐and‐power (CHP) plants, contributing to its goal of net‐zero emissions by 2045. Spain and Italy leverage their abundant olive and grape wastes for bioethanol and biomethane production, demonstrating regional specialties. Meanwhile, research into next‐generation algae‐based biofuels and microbial fermentation processes continues to advance, aiming to scale up production and reduce costs.

Global trends mirror the EU’s leadership: Brazil’s sugarcane ethanol sector remains one of the largest biofuel programs globally, while the United States expands cellulosic ethanol from crop residues. In Asia, countries like South Korea and Japan invest heavily in waste‐to‐energy biorefineries. These collective efforts underline a growing recognition that bioenergy, particularly when sourced from agricultural and organic waste, offers a viable path to energy security, rural development, and climate mitigation.

Challenges and Opportunities in Türkiye’s Bioenergy Sector

Türkiye’s potential to harness agricultural and organic wastes for bioenergy is constrained by several critical barriers. Small‐scale biogas projects struggle without targeted financial incentives. High initial capital costs, covering digesters, storage tanks, and distribution infrastructure, discourage farmers and local entrepreneurs, who lack access to low‐interest loans or grants. Additionally, waste collection and processing infrastructure remain inadequate: many rural areas lack organized systems for gathering manure, crop residues, and food scraps, resulting in feedstock scarcity for potential bioenergy facilities. Regulatory hurdles further complicated development. Securing permits for bioenergy plants often involves navigating opaque approval processes, overlapping jurisdictions, and evolving environmental standards, leading to protracted delays and elevated project costs (SHURA, 2023).

Despite these obstacles, promising opportunities exist for scaling up Türkiye’s bioenergy capacity. Introducing government‐backed incentives, such as feed‐in tariffs or direct subsidies for biogas produced from agricultural waste, could significantly improve project bankability. By ensuring a stable, predictable revenue stream per kilowatt hour of biogas‐derived electricity injected into the grid, these mechanisms encourage investment and lower financing costs. Public‐private partnerships (PPPs) represent another avenue to mobilize capital and technical expertise. Collaborative ventures between municipalities, agro‐industrial cooperatives, and private energy firms can facilitate the construction of centralized anaerobic digestion hubs that co‐digest livestock manure with crop residues, achieving economies of scale that benefit smaller farmers.

Technological advancements also hold promise. Improvements in anaerobic digestion, such as pre‐treatment of lignocellulosic residues, co‐generation systems that capture both heat and power, and optimized microbial consortia, can raise methane yields and reduce processing times. Similarly, modern gasification technologies enable high‐temperature conversion of crop wastes into syngas, which can be used for electricity or upgraded into biomethane. Collaboration with international research centers and leveraging World Bank technical assistance can accelerate the transfer of these innovations to local contexts (World Bank, 2023). Moreover, Türkiye’s alignment with EU Green Deal targets may unlock additional funding streams and technical support, further catalyzing growth.

By addressing financial, regulatory, and infrastructural gaps, and embracing both policy incentives and cutting‐edge technologies, Türkiye can transform its underutilized agricultural waste into a robust bioenergy sector that enhances energy security, mitigates greenhouse gas emissions, and fosters rural economic development.

Conclusion

Türkiye stands at a crossroads in converting underutilized agricultural waste into a sustainable bioenergy sector. Currently, the absence of a detailed waste inventory prevents accurate assessment of available plant residues, ranging from greenhouse vines to vineyard pruning, and animal byproducts such as manure from Konya’s livestock farms. Instituting a coordinated study by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change is essential to quantify biomass volumes via field surveys, remote sensing, and farm‐level reporting. With over 50 million tons of agricultural waste produced annually yet only 10-15% repurposed, substantial technical and economic benefits remain untapped. Greenhouse regions like Antalya, Mersin, and İzmir could support composting and biogas facilities, as exemplified by Kumluca Municipality’s pilot plant.

Leveraging EU bioenergy frameworks, such as anaerobic digestion for biogas and biomass pelletization, offers proven pathways. Denmark’s ambition to source 30% of its energy from biogas by 2050 and Germany’s extensive biogas network demonstrate replicable models. Expanding Türkiye’s 150 MW installed biogas capacity toward a projected 500 MW by 2030 requires regulatory streamlining, financial incentives (e.g., feed‐in tariffs), and public‐private partnerships. Technological advances in gasification and microbial digestion will improve yields. By addressing infrastructural gaps, simplifying permitting, and aligning with EU Green Deal financing, Türkiye can transform its agricultural residues into renewable power, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and catalyze rural economic growth.

References: TÜİK; Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry; European Commission; ENERJİSA; IEA; SHURA Energy Transition Center; Kumluca Municipality; ENERJİSA; TEİAŞ

Please note that the views expressed in this article are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of any organization.

The writer is affiliated with the Department of Agricultural Economics, Selcuk University, Konya-Türkiye and can be reached at mdirek@selcuk.edu.tr

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