Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University (BEUN) is implementing another environment-friendly and strategic investment in line with its sustainable campus vision. With the 1500kWe (1861,2 kWp) Solar Power Plant (SPP) planned to be installed at the Çaycuma Vocational School campus, the university will both contribute to the environmental sustainability and meet approximately one-fourth of the electricity demand of Faculty of Medicine.

The project, which is going to be implemented with the World Bank financing as part of the Renewable Energy Projects for Public Institutions and Municipalities (KAYEP) carried out by the General Directorate of Construction Works of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change, is in accordance with the goals of the Türkiye’s 11th Development Plan to increase the number of renewable energy resources, enhance the energy efficiency in public institutions, and support public buildings that produce its own energy.

In accordance with the feasibility, environmental, and social effect evaluations, a 1500 kWe (1861,2 kWp) Solar Power Plant is planned to be installed on a 24,000 m2 land on Çaycuma Vocational School campus. With the opening of the power plant to be installed on Çaycuma Vocational School campus, it is aimed to meet a-fourth of the energy demand of the Faculty of Medicine using the equalization method on the national line. It is aimed to increase the rate of the use of renewable energy at university and reduce the energy costs. This initiative enables the university to use its resources reserved for the health services more efficiently, thus making a strong contribution to preserving the current service capacity and the sustainability of the health services.

This project, for which the tender process has begun, and which is expected to be commissioned in a short period of time, will contribute to reducing the energy costs of the university by producing clean and renewable energy for 25 years. It is also aimed to reduce the use of fossil fuels for energy, carbon footprint, and to strengthen the environmental sustainability.

It is also planned to carry out academic studies and hands-on projects on the solar power technologies at university. In this respect SPP stands out as a model renewable energy investment that brings education, research, and application together.

Rector Özölçer: SPP Project Reflects Our Environmentally Friendly Vision”

In his remarks on the topic, the Rector of Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer emphasized that sustainability is a principle in all the plans and investments of the university, and added:

“Our university is on its way to create an exemplary campus model that is based on energy efficiency and can produce its own energy.  The SPP to be installed at Çaycuma Vocational School campus is one of the concrete and strategic steps of this vision. Thanks to this significant investment, we fulfill our responsibility for the environment and will contribute to the efficient use of public resources by meeting a significant part of the energy demand of Faculty of Medicine.

With this in mind, I would like to extend my gratitude particularly to the Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change Murat Kurum and esteemed managers in the Ministry for their strong support to environmental investments and renewable energy projects. I would also like to express my gratitude to the President of the Council of Higher Education Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar and valuable members of the YÖK family for their contribution to our vision of sustainability and green transformation.

I express my thanks to the Directorate of Construction Works of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change, representatives of the Renewable Energy Projects for Public Institutions and Municipalities (KAYEP), contributing academic and administrative units of our university, and all stakeholders who worked in all processes from planning to application with dedication. As Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University, we will continue to implement environmentally friendly, innovative, and value adding projects with dedication.”

Green Campus, Clean Energy, and Sustainability Focused Practices

Carrying out successfully for more than 10 years and being re-elected as Green-Metric National Coordinator of Türkiye, Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University continues to lead the way in promoting the widespread adoption of environmentally friendly and sustainable campus practices across Türkiye.

Carbon release that is equal to the effect of 641 trees was prevented thanks to the zero waste practices, campaigns carried out to collect plastic waste, and solar energy system built on the dining hall building on Farabi Campus. The fight against climate change was also supported with a green roof project carried out in the Faculty of Engineering on 2200 square meters. 9 electric car charging stations established on 15 Temmuz Şehitler and İbni Sina campuses contribute to the process of integrating sustainable environmental approach both at university and the country.

In addition, the University continues to add value to academic production and the development of social awareness through nationally and internationally organized events such as FOCUS’24, the “National GreenMetric Türkiye Workshop”, the “Climate Change and Zero Waste Summit”, and the “Sustainable Development and the Filyos Project.”

Steady Rise in UI GreenMetric: 32nd in Türkiye, 290th in the World

In the UI GreenMetric rankings, which evaluate green campus practices, Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University rose to the 32nd place in Türkiye, and 290th in the world as of 2025.

Pioneer University in Sustainability: 9th in Türkiye

Standing out with its initiatives on sustainability and environmental awareness, BEUN ranked 9th with a 300-points score in “Climate Action Performance”. This success demonstrates university’s internationally qualified initiatives on the fight against climate change, environmental responsibility, and sustainable campus policies. BEUN’s success in climate action, environmental sensitivity, and sustainable development was not limited to one field, but reflected on the rise in university’s ranking on a global scale. One of the most concrete examples of this rise in rankings is the significant success in UI GreenMetric.

A Strong Increase across Development Goals in THE Impact Rankings

Achieving a great success in 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings when compared to the previous years, Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University increased its performance in 13 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). In line with the success, BEUN ranked 15th in “Affordable and Clean Energy” category and 26th in “Sustainable Cities and Communities” category in Türkiye.

BEUN ranked in the 201-300 band in “Affordable and Clean Energy” categories; in the 301-400 band in “Responsible Consumption and Production” category; and in 401-600 band in “Sustainable Cities and Communities” category across the world.

Continuing its initiatives on sustainability, environmental awareness, and social contribution, BEUN aims to go higher in the national and international rankings, and create impact in higher education with an environmental, innovative, and pioneering university model.