Sustainable Livestock Waste Management: EnvironmentalaAnd Economic Dimensions of The Biogas Potential of The Eastern Anatolia Region

Abstract

This study comprehensively reveals the biomethanization potential derived from livestock waste in the Eastern Anatolia Region and its economic dimensions, based on data compiled from the Biomass Energy Potential Atlas (BEPA) of the General Directorate of Energy Affairs (GDEA). Fifteen provinces in the region — Ağrı, Ardahan, Bingöl, Bitlis, Elazığ, Erzincan, Erzurum, Hakkâri, Iğdır, Kars, Malatya, Muş, Şırnak, Tunceli, and Van — were examined at the provincial and district level, and biomethanization potential and energy equivalents were calculated by animal type. According to the analysis results based on BEPA data, the total economic energy equivalent of the 15 provinces was calculated as 45,849.4 TOE/year. This potential corresponds to 533,128 MWh/year of electricity generation, approximately 53.9 million m³/year of natural gas substitution, and annual greenhouse gas savings of approximately 256,472 tons of CO₂ equivalent. Across the region, large livestock accounts for 93.5% of the total potential. At the provincial level, the highest potential is observed in Erzurum (10,411.1 TOE/year, 22.7% regional share), followed by Kars (6,341.2 TOE/year), Ağrı (4,585.5 TOE/year), and Muş (4,192.8 TOE/year), respectively. Van (18.5%) and Şırnak (18.5%) stand out notably from the regional average due to their high share of small livestock.

The study also analytically addresses facility economics, the YEKDEM incentive mechanism, cost factors specific to Eastern Anatolia, and the structural barriers facing the sector. The findings strongly indicate that the region can assume a significant role in Turkey's bioenergy strategy with appropriate policy support and infrastructure investment.