Economic Benefits of the Project
Although the project is controversial, the Turkish government, particularly the State Hydraulic Works Agency, has been relentless in its support for the Ilisu Dam. Turkey’s Environment Minister, Veysel Eroglu, has been quoted as saying, “Let me tell you this, the power plants will be built. No one can stop it. This is the decision of the state and the government.” The Turkish government justifies this with the assurance of the economic necessities and benefits outlined in the EIA. The project promises to supply electricity and infrastructure to the underdeveloped Southeastern Anatolia region of Turkey. The EIA predicts that Turkey’s demand for electricity will increase 6.4-7.9% a year in the fifteen years following the 2006 review. The Ilisu dam will provide hydroelectric power to help meet this growing demand.
The review predicts a 25% economic spinoff with investment in this project. These proposed benefits stem from an injection of flow into commercial sectors that may boost the local economy. Included in this are approximately 20,000 jobs created by the project. The EIA forecasts that about 8,000 of these jobs will come from resettlement and other mitigation measures and about 16,000 jobs will come from the construction of the dam. The EIA also suggests that measures will be taken to assure that more than 50% of these jobs will be given to workers from the impounded villages affected by the dam. The review also asserts that this project will be instrumental in creating new industries like commercial fishing and tourism.
The review predicts a 25% economic spinoff with investment in this project. These proposed benefits stem from an injection of flow into commercial sectors that may boost the local economy. Included in this are approximately 20,000 jobs created by the project. The EIA forecasts that about 8,000 of these jobs will come from resettlement and other mitigation measures and about 16,000 jobs will come from the construction of the dam. The EIA also suggests that measures will be taken to assure that more than 50% of these jobs will be given to workers from the impounded villages affected by the dam. The review also asserts that this project will be instrumental in creating new industries like commercial fishing and tourism.