Turkey’s Coup and the effects on energy

• 7 years ago (2016-07-25)
• David Flin

Europe 1068 Middle East 317

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Turkey has declared a state of emergency in the wake of the failed coup, and President Erdogan has launched an extensive purge of state bodies that has seen over 70,000 employees sacked and investigated for possible connections to the group that plotted the coup.

The Ministry for Energy and Natural Resources has seen 18 per cent of its staff suspended and placed under investigation, while Turkey’s energy regulator, EPDK, has had 25 members of its staff purged. Rumours are circulating that the search for possible coup sympathisers will be extended to private sector energy companies.

No details have yet been given of the 300 staff sacked from the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, or what level of seniority has been affected. However, the Ministry had a staff of 1685. Of the 25 suspensions at EPDK, one is a senior manager, and several are described as “high level experts”.

While the Government denies that these sackings will have any impact on the energy sector, there are indications that the sector is already suffering a slowing down of approvals and bureaucracy. A source who wished to remain unnamed said that the operational performance of the Ministry and of EPDK will be affected for some time, even if they are able to fill the vacant positions. He said: “The sector will see lengthy delays, as we cannot keep up with the work. Morale is very low.”