Ahmet Erdem, the President of the Energy Efficiency Association, reported that since the start of the permanent daylight saving time implementation in 2016, more than 20 billion liras have been saved, equivalent to 11 billion kilowatt-hours of energy.

Ahmet Erdem, the President of the Energy Efficiency Association, stated that in Turkey, the permanent daylight saving time implementation was transitioned through a Council of Ministers decision in 2016, aiming to maximize the benefit of daylight. Highlighting that studies were conducted to assess the effects of the implementation, Erdem mentioned that Istanbul Technical University (ITU) scientifically examined the impacts of clock changes, revealing significant economic and environmental benefits achieved through the fixed time application.

Erdem mentioned various studies indicating the psychological and sociological effects of clock changes on individuals, such as anxiety and stress, and how research shows that the fixed time implementation positively contributes to people’s hormonal balance. Referring to data from the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Erdem stated, “Since the start of the permanent daylight saving time implementation in October 2016, over 20 billion liras have been saved, equivalent to 11 billion kilowatt-hours of energy.” Reminding of the proposal presented to the European Parliament in 2018 to end the winter time practice initiated in Europe in 1980, Erdem shared information about clock changes worldwide. Highlighting that countries like Japan, China, South Korea, India, the Arabian Peninsula, and South American nations never switched to winter time, Erdem continued, “In North America and Europe, countries tend to choose the time zone closest to their easternmost meridian. In our country, factors such as geographical location and urbanization rate were taken into account when determining the most suitable time zone. Today, cities like Paris, Berlin, London, and Amsterdam witness sunrise between 07:00-07:30, with school start times at 08:00 and work starting at 08:30.” Erdem noted that in Turkey, sunrise in Igdir starts around 06:40, and in Ankara, considered as the population center, the sun rises around 07:25, while in Istanbul, sunrise occurs at 07:37.

Evaluation of working hours generally starts at 08:30. Erdem pointed out that in Turkey, the determination of lesson hours and working hours at the provincial level falls under the authority of the governorships, emphasizing the significance of considering sunrise and sunset hours along with societal conditions when planning working hours and school schedules.