Türkiye has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2053, and at the heart of this ambitious goal lies a transformative approach to its energy sector. This article delves into Türkiye’s Long-Term Climate Strategy, outlining how the nation plans to transition to renewable energy, improve energy efficiency, and strengthen energy independence, all while fostering economic growth and resilience.
In alignment with global climate goals, Türkiye ratified the Paris Agreement in 2021 and set a 2053 net-zero target soon after. Since the energy sector accounts for most of Türkiye’s emissions, shifting to a low-carbon energy model is crucial. This strategy addresses emissions reduction and seeks to position Türkiye as a leader in sustainable energy production and green innovation.
Türkiye’s energy strategy is grounded in an aggressive expansion of renewable energy sources. The goal is for renewables to account for 69.1% of the country’s electricity supply by 2053, up from 42.4% in 2020. To meet growing energy demands, Türkiye aims to quadruple its renewable energy capacity by 2035, emphasizing solar, wind, and hydropower. The strategy also promotes innovative renewable energy technologies, such as hybrid power plants, floating solar arrays, and offshore wind farms, enhancing energy security and reducing dependency on imported fossil fuels.
Solar and wind, in particular, are expected to dominate the country’s energy mix. The installed capacity for solar energy is projected to jump from 18.5 GW in 2024 to an impressive 76.9 GW by 2035, while wind energy capacity is set to expand from 12.3 GW to 43.1 GW in the same period. These advancements will be driven by Türkiye’s Renewable Energy Support Mechanism (YEKDEM), which incentivizes renewable investments through long-term purchase guarantees.
The transition to renewable energy requires a flexible and resilient grid. Türkiye plans to achieve this by expanding its energy storage capacity, incorporating green hydrogen, and embracing digital technology. By 2035, Türkiye aims to have 7.5 GW of battery storage capacity to support solar and wind power, addressing the intermittency issues inherent to renewables.
Green hydrogen will play a vital role in stabilizing the grid and supporting the electrification of industrial processes. Türkiye’s targets include achieving an electrolyzer capacity of 2 GW by 2030 and 5 GW by 2035, enabling green hydrogen production at scale. This clean fuel will further help reduce emissions in sectors where decarbonization is challenging.
Digitalization will also be key to Türkiye’s energy transformation, enabling advanced grid management through smart meters, IoT sensors, and AI-powered analytics. By integrating these technologies, Türkiye can optimize energy use and manage demand more effectively, creating a resilient and efficient energy system.
Improving energy efficiency across the energy chain is a core component of Türkiye’s climate strategy. With a target to reduce energy intensity by 35% by 2035, Türkiye aims to reduce energy waste and enhance the performance of its electricity grid. Under the Energy Efficiency 2030 Strategy, $20.2 billion will be invested in efficiency measures across sectors to save 37.1 million Tonnes of Oil Equivalent (TOE) in primary energy by 2030.
One significant aspect of this efficiency drive is the development of distributed infrastructure to generate energy near where it’s consumed. Local energy generation and prosumer participation will create a more efficient and resilient energy ecosystem. Prosumers—consumers who produce their electricity, typically through solar panels—will play an essential role in reducing the load on the national grid and ensuring a smoother supply-demand balance.
Türkiye is investing in transition fuels and nuclear energy as part of the shift away from fossil fuels. Cleaner fuels such as biogas, synthetic methane, and biofuels will provide bridge solutions as the country works toward full decarbonization. Nuclear energy is also slated to play a role in Türkiye’s energy future, with the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant projected to supply 10% of Türkiye’s electricity needs and cut greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 30 million tons annually once fully operational.
Additionally, Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) technologies will be employed to curb emissions from hard-to-abate energy sources. These technologies benefit energy-intensive industries, such as cement and steel manufacturing, where reducing emissions is more challenging.
Türkiye’s energy transformation promises significant economic and social benefits. Expanding the renewable energy sector and investing in new technologies will create numerous job opportunities, especially in construction, operations, and maintenance. By reducing its reliance on fossil fuel imports, Türkiye also stands to improve its energy security, lowering its exposure to volatile global energy markets and price fluctuations.
The green transformation of the energy sector will further support Türkiye’s ambition to become a significant player in global green finance. This involves developing diversified financing opportunities for green investments and fostering public-private partnerships, which will be key in financing renewable energy expansion and storage projects.
Meeting Türkiye’s 2053 energy targets will require substantial investment. Renewable energy alone is projected to need $59 billion by 2035, energy storage an additional $2.5 billion, and energy efficiency measures around $20.2 billion. To finance this transition, Türkiye is leveraging public and private investments backed by carbon pricing mechanisms and incentives like emissions trading systems.
YEKDEM, the Renewable Energy Support Mechanism, has driven renewable energy projects by providing financial guarantees for renewable power producers. Additionally, Türkiye’s exploration of carbon pricing, including a national Emissions Trading System (ETS), will help generate funds to support the energy transition further while aligning with international carbon markets.
Türkiye’s vision for a renewable-powered future is bold yet achievable. By 2053, the country aims to lead in renewable energy, green hydrogen production, and energy efficiency, fostering a clean and sustainable energy ecosystem.
