TRIPOLI, Libya

Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said Saturday that rising global uncertainty and geopolitical tensions are reshaping energy policies, stressing that strong political will and international cooperation are essential to managing the challenges.

Speaking at a ministers’ panel titled “Strategic Partnerships: Positioning Libya as a Global Energy Leader” during the Libya Energy and Economy Summit (LEES) 2026 in Tripoli, Bayraktar said supply security remains Türkiye’s top energy priority.

Bayraktar noted that Türkiye’s energy demand has increased sharply over the past two decades and is expected to triple over the next 30 years, warning that emerging factors such as artificial intelligence, data centers and cooling needs are not yet fully reflected in existing projections.

“Most likely, the demand is going to grow even more than triple. So, that’s why we need to address this growing demand,” he said.

Reducing import dependence is another major challenge, Bayraktar said, noting that Türkiye imports large volumes of natural gas, oil and coal from global markets.

He also underscored Türkiye’s climate goals, recalling that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said the country aims to become carbon neutral by the early 2050s.

Bayraktar said Ankara is pursuing a comprehensive policy framework to address supply security, import dependence and climate goals, with renewable energy at its core.

“We have a great potential of solar, wind, geothermal and biogas. Every single year, we are adding 8 to 9 gigawatts of new solar and wind energy to our energy mix,” he said, adding that Türkiye is also implementing an ambitious energy efficiency program.

Nuclear power is another pillar of Türkiye’s long-term strategy, Bayraktar said, noting that four reactors are under construction at the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant.

“This year, our first reactor will be online. We will generate electricity from our first nuclear reactor,” he said.

Türkiye eyes expanded role in Libya

Turning to oil and gas, Bayraktar said Türkiye’s national oil company is currently producing around 300,000 barrels of oil and gas per day, following a strategic shift over the past decade toward offshore and onshore exploration.

He said production from the Sakarya Gas Field in the Black Sea has reached nearly 60,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day and is expected to double this year to 120,000, with output set to quadruple by 2028.

Oil production at the Gabar field in southeastern Türkiye has reached around 80,000 barrels per day, he added.

Bayraktar said Türkiye sees significant potential through international cooperation.

“We believe, with the international cooperation, and that’s why we are in Libya, we have very strong and ambitious targets and joint efforts with our colleagues here,” he said.

“Türkiye will be much more active in Libya, onshore and offshore, very soon,” he added.

Beyond Libya, Bayraktar said Türkiye is cooperating with international energy companies including Chevron and ExxonMobil, and is pursuing projects in Iraq, Kazakhstan, Pakistan and other regions.

“Our aim is to make our national oil company a half-a-million-barrel-per-day oil and gas producer by 2028. Our next target will be to become a million-barrel oil and gas producer,” he said, stressing the importance of partnerships with capable international firms.

Diversification and cooperation

Bayraktar also highlighted Türkiye’s efforts to diversify its energy supply portfolio, noting that Ankara is signing long-term energy agreements, mainly with US exporters and suppliers.

“Diversity is the key thing to achieve long-term sustainable energy development,” he said.

With geopolitical tensions continuing to affect energy markets, Bayraktar said Türkiye is pursuing what he described as a “Turkish path” to navigate the volatility.

He concluded by emphasizing that political determination and strong international partnerships are critical to addressing future uncertainties.

“Strong international cooperation is the key thing to address all these challenges that we are facing,” he said.