In the aftermath of a powerful earthquake that killed thousands of people in Turkey and Syria on Feb. 6, Statkraft reported its two hydropower plants in the country were unaffected, and the company has donated NOK1 million (US$95,951) to the Red Cross.
According to Reuters, the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck on the morning of Feb. 6 affected at least 13 million people, with more than 5,100 fatalities and an additional more than 24,000 people injured. In addition, more than 5,700 buildings were destroyed.
Statkraft reported it has 42 employees in Turkey, working at offices in Istanbul and Ankara, and two hydropower plants. The company reported that all employees in the Turkish Statkraft organization and their families are safe and accounted for. No Statkraft offices or assets were affected by the earthquake, which was close to the company’s 20 MW Cakit hydropower plant in Adana.
In response to the emergency situation, Statkraft donated NOK1 million to the Red Cross to support the relief work in Turkey and Syria. The Red Cross is searching for survivors in the rubble of collapsed buildings and working hard to save lives, Statkraft said.
“I am deeply saddened by the destruction and loss of life after the devastating earthquake that hit Southern Türkiye Monday morning,” said Chief Executive Officer Christian Rynning-Tønnesen. “Cakit hydropower plant is not far from the epicentre of the earthquake. I am relieved to learn that all our employees and their families are safe and accounted for.”
Statkraft is Europe’s largest generator of renewable energy from hydropower, wind power, solar power, gas-fired power. The company also supplies district heating.
