Held on November 14, 2023, in Çanakkale, the second regional conference attracted 169 participants and was structured as a blend of plenary sessions and working groups. The conference was moderated by Eda Zaloğlu, with opening speeches delivered by key figures, including Team Leader Prof. Dusan Gvozdenac, Ali Koç from the South Marmara Development Agency Balıkesir Investment Support Office and RE-You Project Coordinator, and Bülent Cindil, GIZ Senior Project Coordinator for Energy and Climate Projects.
The focus of this conference was on the employment opportunities emerging in the renewable energy sector in both Türkiye and Germany. Experts from the Renewables Academy AG, such as Charlene Rossler and Uta Zaehringer, delivered detailed presentations on the renewable energy job market in Germany and the educational programs available for professionals looking to enter this field. These presentations laid the groundwork for in-depth discussions on how Türkiye can better align its workforce development initiatives with the evolving needs of the renewable energy sector.
Following the plenary sessions, participants divided into five working groups based on their areas of expertise or interest. These groups concentrated on solar energy, wind energy, biogas, green hydrogen, and battery storage. Each group was moderated by international experts who facilitated discussions on the current state of these technologies and their prospects. In the solar energy group, moderated by Salem Kadi, participants explored synergies between the Turkish and German solar industries, emphasizing how technology transfer could accelerate solar energy growth in Türkiye.
The biogas working group, moderated by Frank Hofmann, examined opportunities for expanding biogas production in Türkiye, drawing examples from Germany and other EU countries. Discussions highlighted the potential of biogas in waste management and biomethane production as key growth areas. In the green hydrogen group, moderated by Dr. Thomas Hillig, participants explored the emerging job market for hydrogen technologies and recognized the existing skills gap, as well as the potential for employment growth as green hydrogen technologies become more widespread.
The conference concluded with a consensus among participants that the event successfully provided a platform for meaningful knowledge exchange and networking. The working groups were identified as valuable forums for deeper discussions and exploring potential areas for future collaboration. The conference played a pivotal role in advancing the conversation on renewable energy and employment in Türkiye. By bringing together key local and international stakeholders, the event not only facilitated valuable knowledge transfer but also laid the groundwork for future collaborations in the renewable energy sector. The conferences underscored the critical importance of aligning workforce development initiatives with the growing demands of the renewable energy industry, especially in emerging fields such as green hydrogen and biogas.