May 09 - BBC Monitoring European

Turkey's Energy Minister Hilmi Guler said they aimed at saving 315m euros until 2013 with an annual production of 4.4bn kWh through geothermal power plants.

Guler, who is formally visiting Iceland, met [on] Thursday [8 May] President Olafur Grimsson and Iceland's energy officials.

Guler told Anatolia that the purpose of his visit was to observe the developments in geothermal and hydrogen energy technologies in Iceland.

"We have reached an agreement with Iceland on formation of a joint working group of energy between the two countries, transfer of technology, invitation of Icelandic companies to make investments in Turkey and the foundation of joint drilling companies in Turkey," said Guler.

Guler said in geothermal energy potential, Turkey ranked seventh in the world and first in Europe, with a potential of 31,500 MW. He pointed out that it was only producing a total of 30 MW in three geothermal power plants and said they wanted to increase this to a total of 550 MW by 2013.

Guler had met Iceland's Industry Minister Oessur Skarphedinsson on Wednesday.

Originally published by Anatolia news agency, Ankara, in English 1124 8 May 08.

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