Türkiye is preparing to reshape its energy system with a 2040 perspective as it raises its renewable energy ambitions, with officials highlighting opportunities for investment in generation, grids, manufacturing and emerging electricity demand.
Speaking during the "2040 New Energy Architecture" session at the Türkiye Wind Energy Investment Roadshow in WindEnergy Hamburg, Turkish Wind Energy Association (TWEA) Chairman Ibrahim Erden said Türkiye's energy transition extended beyond simply adding new generation capacity.
"The system is being reshaped from how electricity is generated from conventional sources and renewable resources, to how it is transmitted through a larger grid infrastructure and how it is consumed in data centers, seawater desalination facilities, and more industrial and commercial applications," Erden said.
Türkiye currently has 126 gigawatts (GW) of installed power capacity, including 79 GW from renewable sources. The country targets 120 GW of combined solar and wind capacity by 2035.
Erden said the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources was working to redefine its 2035 targets with a 2040 perspective.
"Our target for wind and solar will rise above 120 GW in the coming years. More ambitious energy targets will create opportunities at scale for all stakeholders, particularly investors and financiers," he said.
- Türkiye emerges as key regional wind player with strong supply chain
Ben Backwell, CEO of the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), said Türkiye had become an important regional player in wind energy in Europe and had developed a strong domestic supply chain.
"Türkiye has positioned itself strategically both geographically and in terms of energy," Backwell said.
Annual installations of at least 2 GW would maintain a sufficiently active market to sustain the sector while attracting investors and the supply chain, he said.
Backwell said offshore wind would create new opportunities.
"I know the government and TWEA have ambitions to go well beyond this. But even the current level is already significantly attractive for investment and the supply chain," he said.
- Türkiye strengthens wind energy export capabilities
Ali Kamil Ozmen, head of the Public-Private Partnership Department at the Investment and Finance Office, said Türkiye was strengthening both its wind energy manufacturing capacity and export capabilities as it increased investment in the renewable energy transition.
He said Türkiye had also become a manufacturing hub for clean energy technologies.
"Türkiye manufactures towers, blades and generators for wind energy and exports them to more than 50 countries. With its strategic location and qualified workforce, Türkiye has become an important manufacturing and supply hub for international investors," Ozmen said.
- 'Grid upgrades must match rapid renewable expansion'
Zafer Demircan, Türkiye's deputy energy minister, said grid investments must advance at the same pace as renewable energy capacity if Türkiye is to rapidly expand renewable generation.
"The speed at which renewable energy is brought online must be equal to the speed at which infrastructure is developed," Demircan said.
He said the transmission system operator would need to invest at least $20 billion to integrate 120 GW of renewable capacity into the system.
The investments would cover increasing transformer and transmission line capacity as well as technologies aimed at improving grid flexibility.
Demircan said work on offshore wind energy was also being accelerated, adding that studies carried out with industry representatives were nearing completion.
The country plans to hold the first offshore wind tender in the first quarter of 2027.
Following the first tender, Türkiye plans to tender 1 GW of offshore wind capacity each year in suitable areas, Demircan said.
He added that work was underway on mechanisms to reduce investment risks and develop new pricing models for the sector.
By Gulsen Cagatay in Hamburg
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr
