Turkiye accelerates its clean energy transformation with the launch of major new solar and wind projects, signaling its growing role in global renewable leadership.
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| With $80 billion earmarked for future solar and wind projects, Turkiye aims to become a renewable energy hub connecting Europe and Asia. Image Courtesy: IHA/DS |
Ankara, Turkiye – May 8, 2025:
Turkiye has taken a significant leap forward in its energy transition, inaugurating a series of new solar and wind power plants across multiple provinces during a large-scale ceremony led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara.
"We are in a race with ourselves in the field of energy," Erdogan declared, highlighting Turkiye’s rapid progress in renewables and its determination to reduce reliance on imported energy sources. The inauguration follows last week's Istanbul Natural Resources Summit, which examined the country's capacity in energy transition, supply security, and critical mineral development.
Turkiye’s energy demand has tripled in the past two decades, and the government forecasts a further 50% increase in electricity demand by 2035. President Erdogan emphasized that as global demand for energy rises, nations must balance growth with environmental sustainability.
“The risks posed by global warming and resource depletion require urgent investment in clean energy. This is not just an economic issue — it’s a national security priority,” he stated.
As of March 2025, Turkiye’s installed power capacity has climbed to 118,185 megawatts (MW), with 60% derived from renewable sources. Solar energy alone accounts for 21,833 MW, compared to zero in 2005.
By 2035, Turkiye plans to reach 120,000 MW in combined solar and wind capacity, backed by $80 billion in planned investments. Additionally, it aims to add 5,000 MW of offshore wind capacity.
“We now produce over 75% of our solar equipment and more than 70% of wind components locally — a testament to our domestic industrial growth,” Erdogan noted.
Through the Renewable Energy Support Mechanism (YEKDEM), the government is providing incentives to developers and simplifying bureaucratic processes, aiming to cut permitting times from 48 to 18 months.
In 2024 alone, 6,182 electricity generation plants were commissioned in all 81 provinces, with 98% of the 6,818 MW new capacity coming from renewable sources — amounting to a $5 billion investment.
The newly launched facilities span several provinces, including Çanakkale, Bursa, Sakarya, Kütahya, and Şanlıurfa. These plants are expected to significantly boost local grid capacity and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
President Erdogan reiterated that Turkiye envisions itself as an energy cooperation hub linking Europe and Asia, not just through pipelines, but through innovation, clean power, and technology.
“Energy is no longer a tool of rivalry. It’s a means of cooperation for mutual benefit,” he concluded.