Turkey is positioning itself as a key player on the international stage with its ambitious goal of transitioning to net-zero carbon emissions by 2053. This goal is not only about reducing emissions but also reshaping the entire energy sector to embrace sustainability, efficiency, and independence. The country seeks to develop competitive renewable energy sources and innovations, thereby creating jobs and promoting economic growth.
The groundwork for Turkey's energy transition was laid out clear and strong, particularly through the collaboration between the World Bank Group and Turkey's Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources. Their joint initiative emphasizes the installation of offshore wind power—potentially reaching between 3 to 7 gigawatts (GW) by 2040. The immense potential for offshore wind energy finds its basis in Turkey's identified technical capacity of around 75 GW, according to estimates from 2019.
With the attention on offshore wind farms, the latest developments have shown the Turkish government aiming for 5 GW by 2035, building upon the strategic foresight aimed at enhancing energy independence. But challenges remain; the waters off Turkey are deep, often exceeding 50 meters, which means floating foundations will likely become the norm. This also raises important environmental and social sensitivities, calling for careful planning to protect biodiversity and local communities impacted by these renewable energy installations.
Initiatives to kick-start the offshore wind power sector don't stop at just plans. There's discussion about starting with demonstration projects, which will not only showcase the viability of the technology but also prompt necessary upgrades to the electrical grid and local port facilities. This groundwork is pivotal as Turkey positions itself as not just another energy consumer but as potential clean energy provider, particularly attractive to European and Asian markets.
Turkey's commitment to renewable energy doesn't end with wind. The broader energy strategy sees renewables accounting for around 69.1% of Turkey's electricity supply by 2053—up significantly from just over 42% as of 2020. Such growth hinges on investments and innovations within solar, wind, and hydropower sectors. The installed capacity for solar energy alone is projected to leap to 76.9 GW by 2035, compared to just 18.5 GW by 2024. Simultaneously, wind energy capacity is set to increase from 12.3 to 43.1 GW during this timeframe.
Critical to this transition is the creation of supportive environments for these industries. Turkey’s Renewable Energy Support Mechanism encourages investments by providing long-term purchase guarantees, ensuring financial stability for those engaging with the renewable sector. The focus remains clear: clean energy supply must grow to meet rising demands without compromising grid stability.
Enhancing grid flexibility is another building block of this energy transformation. To support the integration of renewables, Turkey is investing heavily in energy storage solutions, aiming for 7.5 GW of storage capacity by 2035. These solutions will serve to buffer intermittencies often associated with solar and wind energy. There’s also emphasis on green hydrogen production; Turkey seeks to cultivate electrolyzer capacity reaching 2 GW by 2030 and 5 GW by 2035. Green hydrogen acts as both a stabilizing agent for the grid and as fuel for sectors with high-emission challenges.
Innovation is another thread woven throughout Turkey's energy plans, with digital technology poised to transform energy management. Smart meters, AI analytics, and IoT sensors will enable real-time energy monitoring and management, optimizing overall consumption and enhancing resilience within the sector.
But transitioning to renewable isn’t just about generation; it's equally about improving efficiency. Turkey aims for significant strides, targeting a 35% reduction in energy intensity by 2035. This approach operates under the premise of investing $20.2 billion across various sectors, aiming to save energy equivalent to thousands of tons of oil each year.
A notable aspect of this efficiency improvement is local energy generation. By supporting prosumer initiatives—where consumers also become producers, often through solar installations—Turkey hopes to create localized ecosystems. These initiatives ease the burden on the national grid, contributing positively to energy supply and demand balance.
Transition fuels and nuclear energy represent additional pillars of Turkey's energy future. Cleaner alternatives, such as biogas and biofuels, are being rolled out as transitional solutions to help phase out reliance on fossil fuels. Nuclear energy, particularly with the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant projected to deliver 10% of electricity, is expected to significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions when fully operational.
With comprehensive plans and strategies laid out, Turkey’s energy transition is neither slow nor linear—it's ambitious and multifaceted, aiming to transform not just the energy supply but the overall economic scenario. A clear pursuit of innovation, efficiency, and public engagement signifies Turkey's pathway to achieving net-zero by 2053.
