SENTRUM PRESS TOUR JANUARY 2022

5 million TL resource to be transferred to Küçükköy with SENTRUM

​SENTRUM project encourages green solutions and energy efficient investments in Küçükköy

With the SENTRUM project, which continues in cooperation with Enerjisa Enerji, Sabancı University and UNDP, Ayvalık Küçükköy will be an example of sustainable tourism with its green destination model

Ayvalık, January 19, 2022 - The first phase of the SENTRUM project, which was announced last August by Enerjisa Enerji, Sabancı University and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to turn Ayvalık Küçükköy into a sustainable energy-based tourism application center, has been completed. SENTRUM aims to increase the access of the tourism sector, which is among the most important sectors of the Turkish economy, to renewable energy and to contribute to its transformation into a sustainable structure by developing its energy efficiency potential.

In Küçükköy, which is preparing to set an example for Turkey with its “green destination model”, efforts to spread energy efficiency, renewable energy and other sustainable tourism applications in tourism establishments and public buildings continue at full speed.

Green solutions and energy efficient applications will increase

In this context, a preliminary study was conducted for 8 small-scale businesses in the tourism sector in the region, and the current status of energy consumption points, energy performance analysis, energy efficiency and savings opportunities were evaluated. The prominent efficiency area in these businesses was determined to be lighting. By simply replacing the used bulbs with LED bulbs, 80-95% energy savings can be achieved.

With this study carried out on a business basis, businesses to be selected in the region will be supported to renew the inefficient equipment they use. In addition, awareness-raising and awareness-raising training and events will be organized for business owners and the local people on energy, environment and sustainable tourism.

In order to support agriculture, which is one of the important sources of income for the region, cooperation will be established with local producers within the framework of responsible production and consumption, and agriculture and tourism will be ensured to support each other.

In addition, within the scope of the studies for the region to become a green destination, tourism values ​​were determined and global green destination standards and good practices in different countries were examined.

Innovative energy applications are being installed in iconic structures in the region

With a perspective that can pioneer sustainable tourism applications, it is aimed to create self-sufficient structures by ensuring energy efficiency without damaging the structures of the buildings within the scope of the study. Areas where energy will be used efficiently and points that need to be improved were addressed with the study studies carried out at Halis Komili Primary School, Küçükköy Cultural Center, Küçükköy Central Mosque, City Museum and Creative Technologies Workshop. Thanks to this study, the creation of structures that use their energy effectively and get the energy they use from nature will be a role model in the region and we will be one step closer to sustainability goals. Enerjisa Enerji, which will integrate the Solar Energy System, LED Lighting Transformation and Eşarj and Electric Vehicle Charging Station solutions under the roof of İşimin Enerjisi, will thus transfer 5 million TL to the studies within the scope of the SENTRUM project.

Speaking about the current status of the SENTRUM project, Enerjisa Enerji Sustainability and Corporate Capabilities Department Head Ebru Taşcıoğlu said: “The SENTRUM project, which we believe will add value to the future of regional and national tourism, will help Küçükköy reveal its potential and carry this potential to the point it deserves. After our launch, we have been receiving positive feedback from the local people and local governments, which excites and motivates us a lot. We will not limit the scope of our project to tourism businesses, buildings and museums in the region. As Enerjisa Enerji, we support this process, which will be the beginning of a major transformation, with the integration of products under the roof of “İşimin Enerjisi”, where we evaluate issues such as sustainability-focused energy efficiency, savings, reduction of carbon emissions and encouragement of the use of renewable energy resources. Acting with this view, we will continue to undertake projects that will contribute to the future of our country and the energy sector for a greener world.
In addition, by coming here today with our Energy Protection Children's Theater, which we have been continuing for 11 years, we also aim to contribute to raising awareness of the local people and our children about energy efficiency and sustainable tourism.”

Mustafa Ali Yurdupak, UNDP Turkey Public Sector and Social Policies Portfolio Manager, said regarding the project: “As UNDP, we have been carrying out studies on sustainable tourism, energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy resources in different regions of Turkey for many years in order to support sustainable development. The SENTRUM project we carried out in Küçükköy is an initiative where we transfer our experience in these areas and believe that it will also contribute to local economic development.

Our goal is; With the green destination model we are trying to create, we aim to transform Küçükköy into a destination where energy efficiency is provided in every area from commercial enterprises to public buildings, where renewable energy applications are used, where enterprises procure their agricultural products from local producers, where water is used efficiently, waste is separated, the culture of the local people is preserved and visitors want to visit not only in the summer months but also in all four seasons. I believe that we will create an overall awareness on sustainable tourism and energy issues with the applications and trainings we will carry out in the region.”

Sabancı University Secretary General Rasim Karas said, “As Sabancı University, we always believe in the power of creating and developing together. In this direction, we carry out projects and studies that contribute to society by collaborating with the private sector, public and industrial organizations. In order to raise individuals who are aware of the problems of the world, have the desire and ability to find solutions to problems and can achieve sustainable development, we have provided science and technology-oriented trainings to 1649 students from 24 different schools so far in the Sabancı University Creative Technologies Workshop, which we launched in 2019, with the aim of raising individuals who are aware of the problems of the world, have the desire and ability to find solutions to problems and can achieve sustainable development.

Now, in the SENTRUM Project hosted by Sabancı University Creative Technologies Workshop, we are transforming Küçükköy into a Sustainable Green Destination Model by collaborating with Enerjisa Enerji and UNDP. The SENTRUM project, which we have implemented in a very short time and whose project results we have been able to observe, will be a pioneer in supporting green tourism. We are proud that the Creative Technologies Workshop is hosting such an important project,'' he said.

The Sustainable Energy-Based Tourism Application Center (SENTRUM) initiative, launched in August 2021 in partnership with Enerjisa Enerji, Sabancı University and UNDP, is aimed to be completed at the end of the 18-month period.

*For information on the Sustainable Development Goals: kureselamaclar.org