Here’s a bold statement: Turkey is quietly becoming a powerhouse in renewable energy, and its rapid progress is turning heads across the globe. But here’s where it gets controversial—while many countries are still debating their energy transition strategies, Turkey has already made significant strides, leaving some to wonder if it’s setting a new standard for the region. Over the past decade, Turkey has poured substantial resources into its renewable energy sector, and the results are nothing short of impressive. The country’s green energy capacity has surged ahead of expectations, bolstering its energy security and reducing its dependence on imports—a move that’s both economically savvy and environmentally forward-thinking.
Since the early 2000s, Turkey’s government has been a trailblazer in diversifying its energy mix, outpacing many neighboring nations. Its ambitious goal? Achieve net-zero emissions by 2053. And this is the part most people miss—Turkey isn’t just focusing on renewables; it’s strategically working toward energy independence, ensuring it doesn’t rely on other countries for its power needs. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), Turkey’s energy policies have been geared toward modernization, liberalization, and boosting domestic production. The numbers speak for themselves: renewable electricity generation has tripled in the last decade, and the country is now eyeing its first nuclear power facility.
Solar energy, in particular, has seen explosive growth. In just two and a half years, Turkey’s solar capacity doubled, surpassing its 2025 target. What’s driving this? New installations for self-consumption, which accounted for 94% of the growth since July 2022. By the end of 2024, solar power capacity jumped from 9.7 GW to over 19 GW, now contributing roughly 6% of the country’s total electricity supply. This isn’t just about clean energy—it’s about savings. Between July 2022 and December 2024, solar and wind energy output helped Turkey avoid $15 billion in natural gas imports, a testament to its growing energy independence.
Here’s a thought-provoking question: Could Turkey’s renewable energy pipeline, which far exceeds its 2030 targets, position it as a global leader in sustainable energy? With 33 GW of pre-licensed storage-integrated solar and wind projects in the works, the potential is undeniable. Experts suggest Turkey could further capitalize on rooftop, hybrid, floating, and storage-integrated solar solutions to keep its momentum going.
By August 2023, Turkey’s installed renewable energy capacity reached 74 GW, with domestic electricity generation hitting 85 GW. Hydropower leads the charge, contributing nearly 27% of the total energy mix, followed by natural gas (25%), solar (24 GW), wind (14 GW), and domestic coal (11 GW). Despite these gains, Turkey still imports coal, biomass electricity, and geothermal energy, highlighting areas for future growth.
Looking ahead, Turkey could meet its growing electricity demands through hybrid solar projects integrated with existing hydropower and wind plants. The National Energy Plan projects electricity demand to hit 455 terawatt-hours by 2030 and 510 terawatt-hours by 2035, requiring an additional 17 GW and 27 GW of capacity, respectively. Wind energy is also gaining traction, with $1.3 billion invested last year and expectations of $1.5 billion by 2025, spurred by new wind farms and increased investor interest.
But here’s a counterpoint to consider: While Turkey’s renewable energy sector is booming, its continued reliance on coal imports raises questions about its commitment to a fully green future. How will Turkey balance its ambitious renewable goals with its current fossil fuel dependencies?
Beyond renewables, Turkey is setting its sights on hydrogen and electric vehicles (EVs). The EU’s recent $3.22 million technical assistance project aims to accelerate Turkey’s green hydrogen development, while its EV market is booming. In June, EV sales more than tripled to 25,646 units, overtaking Belgium as Europe’s fourth-largest BEV market. This growth is fueled by government incentives, like the special consumption tax (ÖTV), and investments from global players like China’s BYD, which is building a $1 billion manufacturing plant in Turkey.
Turkey’s renewable energy success story is a testament to the power of proactive policies, European support, and private investment. As it expands its solar, wind, and low-carbon hydrogen sectors while promoting EVs, Turkey is not just securing its energy future—it’s setting an example for others to follow. What do you think? Is Turkey’s approach to renewable energy a model for other nations, or are there challenges that could hinder its progress? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
