Renewable energy-supported seawater desalination project has been implemented

World’s First Application

Bodrum Municipality has commissioned a renewable energy-powered floating water treatment system that converts seawater into drinking and utility water. This technology, implemented for the first time in Turkey and worldwide, targets an annual water savings of 7,000 tons and a carbon emission reduction of 500 tons, with a daily clean utility water production capacity of 20 tons.

Technical Specifications and System Details

The “Innovative Floating Seawater Treatment Platform,” developed in collaboration between Bodrum Municipality’s Climate Change and Zero Waste Directorate and Blue Hybrid Solutions, is positioned off Bitez Port. The platform meets its energy needs entirely through solar panels and two wind turbines.

The water obtained from the treatment process is transferred to a 20-ton storage tank on land through a hose system that complies with food standards. The stored water will be used for park and median irrigation, emergency situations, and citizen use.

Project Goals and Expected Benefits

The project, developed within the scope of sustainable water management, targets:

• Approximately 500 tons of annual carbon emission reduction
• 7,000 tons of water savings
• Daily production of 20 tons of clean utility water

Official Statements

Bodrum Mayor Architect Tamer Mandalinci stated, “To be part of the solution, not the problem, both Bodrum Municipality and Muğla Metropolitan Municipality continue their dedicated efforts. We deemed it appropriate to implement this system to provide local solutions to the water shortage experienced by our citizens. Samples taken from all sections of our system, which has been operating for 25 days, show that the system is working extremely well, efficiently, and without harming nature. I would like to emphasize that the system operates completely independently with renewable energy sources, namely solar panels and wind energy.”

Mandalinci further added, “Building tomorrow’s Bodrum and tomorrow’s Turkey is everyone’s responsibility. Approaching environmental problems with great sensitivity is our fundamental responsibility. With this vision, this innovation, and this R&D work, we will build our future together. This platform will best meet our future water needs and enable us to fulfill our clean water requirements from the sea through renewable energy.”

Approval Process

The Mayor announced that representatives from the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change will take samples in the upcoming period, and necessary approval will be obtained for the system to officially begin water production and for the produced water to be made available for use.

Industry Assessment

Blue Hybrid Solutions Energy Inc. founding partner Muhammet Çoplan commented on the project: “This platform is an environmentally friendly, sustainable solution that produces fresh water from seawater by operating entirely on renewable energy. This platform is not just technology, but an innovative approach that draws its power from nature and enables sustainable living. Our platform, of which we have realized the first example in Turkey and the world, is an example of entrepreneurship that brings greater efforts than an idea to life.”

Bodrum Municipality Climate Change and Zero Waste Director Ezgi Acer Çetinkaya shared her views: “Our platform is not only a technical solution but also a concrete example showing that nature-compatible technologies are possible. Under the leadership and determination of our Bodrum Mayor Tamer Mandalinci, we will continue working to protect Bodrum as a living space not only for today but also for tomorrow.”

This project demonstrates local governments’ capacity to develop technological solutions for environmental problems and serves as an example for renewable energy and water management applications at the national level.