Today, the energy sector is being redefined not only by installed capacity but also by multifaceted factors such as sustainability, digitalization, and social impact. Caner Demirayak, COO of ODAŞ, emphasizes that brands at the heart of this transformation are no longer merely producers, but also carriers of technological development. Reaching millions of people through energy operations carried out in two countries and three different cities, ODAŞ with a total installed capacity of 514 MW, meets the energy needs of approximately 1.5 million households annually.
ODAŞ is one of those new-generation companies—that’s how I’d describe them. These companies already start their operations by adopting sustainability as a target. Therefore, they progress rapidly, grow, and accomplish in a short time what large, bulky companies cannot achieve. The focus on technology and sustainability is an indispensable part of the business. Caner Demirayak says, “In addition, we also create value in the tourism sector with our ‘Ahama Living’ hotel investments in Fethiye. This diversity forms the basis of both our financial and operational sustainability.”
Regional Strength and Operational Diversity
At the core of ODAŞ’s strategic growth model lie its multifaceted activities in the energy, mining, and tourism sectors. One of the flagship projects in the company’s energy generation is the Çan 2 Thermal Power Plant, which stands out as one of the few private sector projects operating on domestic lignite coal. Implemented as one of Europe’s largest relocation projects, this facility is equipped with state-of-the-art flue gas treatment systems. Demirayak states that the project was completed at a cost 300% more economical compared to similar projects and achieved a gross production of 1.6 million MWh in 2025. The company’s global vision is further strengthened by its investment in Uzbekistan. The 174 MWe natural gas power plant is the largest privately owned power plant in the country and meets approximately 35% of the electricity demand of the Khorezm region. These investments demonstrate ODAŞ’s determination to be not only a local but also a regional player.
Technology: Not a Cost, but a Strategic Lever
For ODAŞ, technology investments play the role of a strategic lever that enhances competitiveness rather than being a simple operational support. Caner Demirayak defines this vision as “focusing not only on producing data, but also on establishing systems that can make sense of it.” The company has migrated its IT infrastructure entirely to cloud-based systems, making its operations traceable 24/7. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) represents the next stage of this digitalization. In particular, the AI-powered cybersecurity agent called “Galameth” provides a proactive security model by analyzing risks and offering action recommendations, unlike traditional systems. Additionally, AI-supported vehicle tracking systems used in mining sites analyze driving behavior and elevate occupational safety to the highest level. According to Demirayak, thanks to AI and data analytics, downtime in power plants can be reduced by up to 20%, and an accuracy rate of over 95% can be achieved in production planning.
Circular Economy and Strategic Metals in Mining
With over 10 years’ experience in the mining sector,ODAŞ is one of the few strategic metal producers in Europe and the Middle East. Suda Maden, Turkey’s only vertically integrated antimony trioxide producer, supplies raw materials to critical sectors ranging from the defense industry to battery production. However, ODAŞ’s mining vision is not limited to production alone. The company contributes to the circular economy by bringing fly ash generated at the Çan 2 Thermal Power Plant back into the economy. Since 2020, exports of fly ash and synthetic gypsum have generated revenues exceeding 14 million dollars. This approach places resource efficiency at the center of corporate policy.
Impact Investing and the Vision for the Future
The company approaches its investments not solely with a focus on financial returns, but from an “Impact Investing” perspective that creates measurable social and environmental benefits. In fact, this vision-driven focus in new-generation companies distinguishes them from others. The first sustainability report published as of 2025 is a concrete indicator of this commitment. Environmental investments of nearly TRY 250 million made solely for the Çan 2 Thermal Power Plant are noteworthy. Caner Demirayak states that ODAŞ’s main goal is to achieve scalable and transparent growth by expanding digitalization across all business units. He notes that with the deeper integration of AI algorithms into production and forecasting processes in the future, the company will become part of global standards.
