Kalyon Continues to Pioneer Sustainability in Renewable Energy: A Look Back at the 2024 UN Youth World Environment Day

Konya, Turkey, August 29, 2024 – Reflecting on its significant role at the inaugural UN Habitat Youth World Environment Day in June 2024, Kalyon PV continues to cement its position as a global leader in renewable energy. This event, held at the Kalyon Karapinar Solar Power Plant in Konya, Turkey, under the theme “Shaping a Sustainable Future Together,” highlighted the critical synergy between public and private sectors in fostering sustainability, scaling renewable energy solutions, and empowering youth to drive global change.

Kalyon PV, renowned for operating Europe’s largest and the world’s fifth-largest solar panel farm, has been at the forefront of renewable energy innovation. The company’s unwavering commitment to expanding solar energy, wind energy, and hydroelectricity reflects its vision of a sustainable future powered by clean, renewable resources. This vision was on full display during the event, where Kalyon’s initiatives in solar energy, green hydrogen, and ammonia production were showcased as models of pioneering solutions for a greener future.

The event also spotlighted Kalyon’s dedication to inclusivity and education. By connecting the global community at their Ankara-based factories on June 4th, Kalyon provided professionals and decision-makers with hands-on learning experiences in solar panel production, highlighting the company’s efforts to build a sustainable and inclusive future from the ground up. Despite Turkey’s historical underrepresentation of women in executive roles, Kalyon demonstrated its commitment to gender inclusivity by featuring women leaders, including Chief Engineers and a Chief Sustainability Officer, as key figures in driving the company’s sustainability agenda.

Reflecting on the event, Kalyon PV CEO Ersan Tufekci emphasized the critical importance of scalable renewable energy solutions. "The future is solar… Our goal is to demonstrate the global connectivity of energy, which is transferable and transmittable. By investing in youth and sustainable practices, we are paving the way for a cleaner, greener future," he stated.

Kalyon’s signature projects, such as the integration of solar panels at Istanbul’s airport and their fully domestic solar panel production, exemplify their innovative approach to renewable energy. Today, the Kalyon Karapinar Solar Power Plant spans 20 million square meters with over 3.5 million panels, providing nearly 3% of Turkey’s electricity—a remarkable achievement compared to other solar energy leaders globally.

Moreover, Kalyon’s decision to reject the use of Chinese-produced solar panels—a standard reliance for many global companies—reinforces their commitment to homegrown solutions. This approach allows Kalyon to maintain full control over production quality and sustainability standards, ensuring that every panel meets the highest benchmarks.

Kalyon’s Head of Sustainability, Omer Kotan, reiterated the company’s long-term vision: "We see our company as the global sustainability production center. Our efforts in renewable energy not only capture emissions but also pioneer new methods of sustainability." This vision includes transforming barren lands into renewable energy hubs and advancing global energy trading.

Looking ahead, Kalyon remains dedicated to empowering global leaders with the knowledge, insights, and strategic roadmaps necessary for a successful transition to renewable energy. As a global model for sustainable success, Kalyon continues to offer actionable recommendations for the future of energy trading and the vital goal of maintaining global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Kalyon’s involvement in the UN Youth World Environment Day 2024 stands as a testament to their commitment to scalable, innovative solutions that address the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.

About Kalyon

Kalyon is a Turkish construction company that has been a leader in renewable energy solutions since 1944. With a robust research and development program, Kalyon is dedicated to innovating technologies that reduce global emissions and promote sustainability.

About UN-Habitat

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) works across 90 countries to promote sustainable urban development. The organization collaborates with partners to drive transformative change and action, with the Youth Advisory Board (YAB) for 2023-2025 comprising 17 advocates for sustainable urban development.