Türkiye has reached an infrastructure capacity capable of supplying 70–80 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas annually, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar said during a special session of the 15th Türkiye Energy Summit.
"We are now at a point where we can trade more than 10 bcm of gas," Bayraktar said.
Bayraktar said Türkiye has become a country with the world's fourth-largest fleet of drilling and seismic vessels, and noted that the first phase of hydrocarbon exploration and production in the Black Sea has been completed.
Noting that production could be doubled next year to meet the natural gas needs of around 8 million households, he said: "Our 2028 target is daily production of 40–45 million cubic meters, enough to meet the natural gas needs of 16–17 million households."
Bayraktar said work is continuing for potential new discoveries in the energy sector, saying: "We plan to conduct six deep-sea drilling operations in the Black Sea this year. To achieve this, our fifth drilling vessel is currently in Türkiye and is expected to be ready for operations at the beginning of 2026. With these six drillings, we will search for oil and natural gas in the western, central and eastern Black Sea."
- No supply risk in Türkiye's natural gas security
Bayraktar said Türkiye's natural gas import contract covering approximately 22 bcm, due to expire at the end of the year, has been extended for one more year, emphasizing that in this context Türkiye has also extended contracts totaling 21.75 bcm over TurkStream and Blue Stream for an additional year.
"There is no risk regarding Türkiye's supply security. The gas will be purchased by BOTAS and delivered to Türkiye," he added.
"To date, more than 220,000 kilometers of gas distribution pipelines have been built," Bayraktar said noting that Türkiye's gas transmission network is very strong.
Highlighting the rapid increase in the country's natural gas storage capacity, he said storage now stands at 6.3 bcm and that by the 2030s Türkiye must be able to store at least 20% of its gas needs.
As part of these efforts to strengthen supply flexibility and support future exports, Bayraktar added that two additional FSRUs may be incorporated into the system.
"With this, Türkiye's export capacity will expand. To achieve this, storing gas at the right time and right price is critical. We must accelerate our efforts in storage," he said, noting that Türkiye aims to increase its daily regasification capacity from 161 million cubic meters to 200 million cubic meters.
- Türkiye pushes ahead with nuclear ambitions
Moving on to nuclear energy, Bayraktar said the activation of the first reactor at the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) was delayed due to the pandemic and delays in equipment deliveries from abroad.
"We will complete it, hopefully. Delivering the first unit is highly significant. Türkiye is gaining substantial knowledge and experience," he said.
Türkiye aims to develop its nuclear energy sector across all fields, including small modular reactors (SMRs). Regarding the planned Sinop NPP, Bayraktar said talks are being held with several countries, but no agreement has been signed yet.
He noted that during the South Korean President's visit to Türkiye, nuclear energy was among the key agenda items and added: "We signed a memorandum of understanding. We aim to reach a concrete stage within the next six months."
On the planned NPP in Trakya, Bayraktar said talks are continuing with China and US-companies who have also shown interest.
"A three- or four-party consortium could be formed for Sinop and Thrace." he said.
Bayraktar also touched on the Renewable Energy Resource Area (YEKA) tender for wind power plants, stating:
"These tenders were awarded to six bidders with a total contribution fee of €208 million. Investments totaling $1.1 billion will be made. Combined with the solar YEKA held two weeks ago, a total contribution fee of €309 million has been generated. We expect investors to realize these projects as soon as possible."
Bayraktar said that by 2050, Türkiye must commission 20,000 MW of nuclear capacity, including 5,000 MW from SMRs.
He emphasized that electricity infrastructure must be strengthened alongside new energy investments.
Reporting by Handan Kazanci, Duygu Alhan, Fuat Kabakci
Writing by Humeyra Ayaz
Anadolu Agency
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