Türkiye will launch its first offshore Renewable Energy Resource Zone (YEKA) tender in the first quarter of 2027, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said Wednesday.
Offshore wind energy is seen as one of the key priorities of Türkiye's new energy strategy.
Türkiye, which has significant potential in this field, has identified four seperate areas for potential offshore wind projects in the Gulf of Saros and off Gokceada, Bozcaada and Edremit, the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources said.
A draft tender specification prepared for the offshore YEKA auction has been published in the announcements section of the ministry's website.
Industry representatives, investors and relevant organizations can submit their views on the draft specification until Aug. 17. A final tender specification will be prepared based on the feedback received.
- Türkiye to signal offshore wind ambitions at COP31
Bayraktar said Türkiye would send a message to the world on its offshore wind ambitions ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP31), which will be held in Antalya in November.
He noted that Türkiye would announce details of its first offshore wind YEKA ahead of COP31.
"We will announce the tender in September and hold the offshore YEKA tender in the first quarter of 2027," Bayraktar stated.
"This tender will be a first for our energy sector. Our target is to reach 5,000 megawatts of offshore wind capacity by 2035," he said.
"We do not see offshore wind merely as a new energy source. We also see it as an area that will make a balanced contribution to our country's security of supply, support our domestic industry and increase qualified employment," Bayraktar added.
By Gulsen Cagatay
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr