While Türkiye has significant energy resources, including coal and hydropower, as well as potential to develop renewable resources like wind and solar, it still relies heavily on energy imports, particularly natural gas, to meet growing demand from population growth and economic expansion. Approximately 70% of Türkiyes energy needs are met through imports, which create economic vulnerabilities, including significant foreign trade deficits.

The 1970s oil price shocks dramatically exposed Türkiyes dependency on energy imports, contributing to economic crises and political instability.

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Efforts to Diversify and Secure Energy Supply

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Renewable energy has been a key focus, with substantial growth in hydropower, wind, geothermal, and solar capacity over the past decade. Türkiyes renewable capacity grew by 50% in five years, with potential for further expansion in solar, wind, and geothermal energy.

The development of geothermal energy, in particular, is promising, with Türkiye accounting for 11.5% of global geothermal capacity.

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Challenges in Reducing Carbon Emissions

Despite progress in renewable energy, Türkiye continues to rely on lignite (a low-grade coal) for power generation, which contributes more to greenhouse gas emissions. This reliance on lignite poses a challenge to Türkiyes environmental goals and global commitments, including the Paris Climate Agreement.

The IEA urges Türkiye to focus on sustainability and reduce its carbon footprint by reconsidering lignite-based power generation and promoting innovation in electric vehicles, energy storage, and clean energy technologies. Continued reforms in gas and electricity markets will help attract investment and ensure Turkey's energy future is secure, sustainable, and competitive.

Environmental concerns have gained more attention in Türkiyes policy landscape, especially after extreme weather events linked to climate change. The country ratified the Paris Agreement in 2021, marking a shift towards more environmentally sustainable energy policies.

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Long-term Strategic Planning and Energy Security

While Türkiye has made strides in improving energy security and diversifying its energy sources, long-term strategic planning is essential for sustainable energy growth.

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Some examples of Renewable Energy in Türkiye at the moment:

Wind Energy

Çolak Holding played a pioneering role in Türkiyes wind energy sector. Its subsidiary, SoyutWind, has achieved several milestones, including producing Türkiyes first wind turbine in 2000 and exporting the first turbine in 2004. In 2020, SoyutWind became the first company to manufacture a domestic permanent magnet generator and has expanded into producing home-type wind turbines for individuals seeking sustainable energy solutions.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024, Çolak Holding remains committed to clean energy. It plans to focus on clean technologies, increase capital investments in R&D, and launch a social responsibility project to encourage more female engineers to enter the wind energy sector.

Geothermal Energy

Türkiye began work on geothermal power in the mid-20th century. The sector experienced accelerated growth after 2000, driven by economic expansion, rising energy demand, and supportive legislation, which included subsidies for private investment.

Globally, geothermal energy receives less attention compared to other renewables like wind, solar, and biomass, partly due to its geographical limitations. Nevertheless, geothermal is a crucial baseload energy source, immune to weather variations, which positions it as a reliable complement to intermittent renewables like wind and solar.

Türkiyes geothermal energy development is traced back to the 1960s, with the Kızıldere geothermal power plant becoming one of Europe’s first in 1984. Despite Türkiyes significant geothermal potential, most of its use remains focused on direct applications, such as heating, rather than electricity generation.

‍Solar Energy

Türkiye is focusing on solar energy due to its high levels of sunlight, especially in regions like Anatolia.

An $18 billion agreement with the World Bank to support renewable energy and economic development is facilitating Türkiyes solar development. This includes private capital mobilisation and innovative financing mechanisms aimed at expanding the solar energy market. Additionally, the partnership with China further helps Türkiye to achieve its energy transition goals, with a focus on large-scale renewable projects.

Floating solar power plants, utilising Türkiyes extensive network of dams, offer a major investment opportunity, with the potential to meet up to 25% of the country's energy needs. The largest solar field in Europe, YEKA-1 in Kalyon Karapınar, demonstrates Türkiyes leadership in solar infrastructure.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the country's growing energy demand, economic expansion, and strategic focus on reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels, gives way for the expansion of renewable energy. While challenges remain, particularly with the continued use of lignite and high greenhouse gas emissions, Turkey has embraced a future of sustainable energy development.

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