Türkiye Targets 120 GW of Solar and Wind Power Capacity by 2035, Says Minister Bayraktar

Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar stated that Türkiye will continue its investments in all areas with an inclusive, flexible, and balanced energy strategy to achieve sustainable, reliable, and affordable energy prices. Speaking at the session titled “Gas Market 2025–2035: New Lines in a Rapidly Changing Environment” during the 14th St. Petersburg International Gas Forum, Bayraktar said that the only mega trend in today’s energy world is electrification, which is shaping the market. He explained that transportation, agriculture, industry, buildings, cooling, heating, and cooking are all becoming electrified, adding that this trend is also taking place in Türkiye. Bayraktar noted that Türkiye’s electricity demand is expected to triple within the next 20 years, saying: “By the early 2050s, our electricity demand will have tripled. When we add new factors such as artificial intelligence, data centers, cooling systems, and electric vehicles, Türkiye’s electricity demand will exceed three times today’s level. Therefore, we are focusing on electricity—but we must also ask the question: how can we obtain this electricity sustainably, reliably, and, of course, affordably? After all, everyone wants access to cheap energy.” Bayraktar emphasized that achieving sustainable and affordable energy requires an inclusive, flexible, and balanced energy system and strategy, adding: “This is why you see Türkiye making major investments and announcing new policies in renewable energy. We have significant potential thanks to sources such as solar, wind, offshore wind, geothermal, and biomass.” Goal in Nuclear Energy: 20 GW by 2050 Bayraktar said that Türkiye aims to reach at least 120 gigawatts of solar and wind capacity by 2035, and continued: “Recently, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced that our renewable energy capacity will be quadrupled by 2035. At the same time, we are making serious investments in nuclear power generation. Together with our Russian partners, we are constructing four reactors at the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, and by 2050 we will have a total nuclear power capacity of 20 gigawatts. In addition to the four reactors at Akkuyu, we plan to build eight more reactors in Sinop and Thrace. Small modular reactors will also be commissioned.” The minister noted that alongside all these investments, Türkiye still needs natural gas in its electricity generation, adding that the country’s installed gas-fired power generation capacity of 25 gigawatts will increase by 1 gigawatt this year, and that Türkiye intends to expand its gas-based electricity production capacity. Bayraktar acknowledged that natural gas supply presents challenges, but stressed that natural gas remains vital for Türkiye. He explained Türkiye’s gas suppliers, saying: “We import most of our natural gas through pipelines. We have had a reliable supply partnership with Russia and Gazprom for decades. This cooperation, which began in the 1980s, still continues. We also import gas from Iran and Azerbaijan via pipelines. However, particularly since 2016, we have seen a significant increase in the LNG market, especially with energy coming from the United States.” Investments in Gasification Infrastructure Growing Bayraktar said that during this period, Türkiye invested heavily in gasification infrastructure and has increased its gasification capacity nearly fivefold since 2016. He stated that the growing LNG supply from the U.S., Australia, Africa, and Qatar has been a major driver for these investments, adding: “Today, roughly one-quarter—and in some years, one-third—of the gas arriving in Türkiye is in the form of LNG. During this period, we also made major investments in new pipeline projects such as TurkStream and TANAP. Our main objective is to ensure Türkiye’s gas supply security. Because we use gas in households, industry, and electricity generation—and demand is rising in all these areas. Natural gas is therefore of vital importance for Türkiye. Another area we are currently focusing on is upstream investments—oil and natural gas exploration and production. We are investing in offshore activities in the Black Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean, and also conducting oil and gas exploration in other regions such as Somalia and, soon, Pakistan. From production (upstream) to transportation (midstream), we are investing across the entire infrastructure chain. Ultimately, our goal is to provide our citizens and customers with secure and affordable energy supply.” “The U.S. Shift from Coal to Gas Was Not Driven Solely by Climate Concerns” Bayraktar recalled that in the early 2000s, the United States experienced a transition from coal to gas, with electricity generation shifting from coal to natural gas.