Türkiye's Sustainable Energy Future

Energy is the cornerstone of modern civilization, powering industries, transportation, agriculture, communication, and households. It represents the capacity to perform work and thus underpins every facet of economic development and social well-being. Globally, energy is primarily sourced from two broad categories: fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and natural gas which are finite, non-renewable, and significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions; and renewable sources such as solar, wind, hydro, biomass, and geothermal which are naturally replenished and environmentally sustainable. As the impacts of climate change intensify, there is a growing consensus among nations and institutions on the urgent need to transition from fossil fuels to clean energy sources. This energy transformation is critical not only for environmental protection but also for long-term economic resilience and energy security.

Türkiye holds a unique strategic advantage in this global shift due to its vast renewable energy potential. With favorable geography and climate, the country has significant capacity for solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass energy generation. By the end of 2023, renewable sources accounted for 54.3% of Türkiye’s total installed power capacity (TEİAŞ, 2023), reflecting significant strides in sustainable energy development. Solar power reached 11.5 GW, while wind energy stood at 11.8 GW (EMRA, 2023), highlighting accelerated growth in these sectors.

Nevertheless, challenges persist. Despite increased renewable capacity, fossil fuels particularly imported natural gas and coal still account for approximately 55% of Türkiye’s electricity generation (IEA, 2023). This reliance exposes the country to energy price volatility and geopolitical risks and undermines its decarbonization goals. Overcoming infrastructural, regulatory, and investment hurdles is essential for Türkiye to fully harness its renewable resources and reduce its carbon footprint. Strengthening grid integration, enhancing energy storage, and incentivizing private sector participation are key to achieving a more sustainable and energy-secure future.

Türkiye’s Renewable Energy Potential and Challenges

Türkiye possesses significant renewable energy potential, particularly in solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass resources, positioning it as a key player in sustainable energy transition. With approximately 2,737 hours of annual sunshine, the country has a technical solar energy potential of 120 GW, yet only a fraction of this capacity is currently utilized. Most solar applications remain limited to domestic water heating, with just 5% of agricultural farms adopting solar-powered irrigation systems, indicating substantial room for growth. Wind energy also presents considerable opportunities, with installed capacity reaching 11.8 GW in 2023 and an estimated potential of 48 GW, primarily concentrated in the Aegean and Marmara regions, where wind farm investments are most active. Geothermal energy is another area where Türkiye excels, ranking fourth globally with 1.7 GW of installed capacity, increasingly being used for greenhouse heating to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Additionally, Türkiye generates around 50 million tons of agricultural waste annually, yet only 10% is harnessed for energy production. Successful projects, such as Konya’s biogas plants, demonstrate the untapped potential of converting agricultural and municipal waste into electricity and organic fertilizers, contributing to both energy production and sustainable farming practices.

Despite these advantages, Türkiye faces several challenges in fully realizing its renewable energy potential. Policy and investment barriers, including inconsistent incentives for small-scale projects and bureaucratic obstacles in licensing and grid connections, hinder progress. Energy inefficiencies further complicate the transition, with transmission losses accounting for 8.5% of generated electricity, while inadequate rural energy planning restricts decentralized renewable adoption. Technological gaps, such as limited energy storage solutions and underutilized smart grids, also pose significant hurdles, particularly in managing intermittent renewable sources like solar and wind. When compared to European leaders such as Denmark and Germany, which have renewable energy shares of 80% and 46% respectively, Türkiye’s 54.3% installed capacity from renewables primarily hydro and geothermal highlights both progress and the need for accelerated efforts. Addressing these challenges through enhanced policy frameworks, improved infrastructure, and greater investment in storage and smart grid technologies will be crucial for Türkiye to fully leverage its renewable resources, reduce fossil fuel dependence, and achieve long-term energy sustainability.

Recommendations for Sustainable Energy Transition

To support a just and effective transition toward sustainable energy, Türkiye must adopt a comprehensive strategy that aligns policy, infrastructure, and innovation. One of the foremost priorities is to strengthen the policy framework. Expanding feed-in tariffs for small-scale solar and biogas projects can incentivize local investments, especially from rural and small-scale producers. Simplifying the permitting and licensing processes for wind and geothermal energy projects will further reduce entry barriers and accelerate deployment.

Integrating renewable energy into rural development is another key area of focus. Solar-powered irrigation systems can significantly reduce energy costs for farmers while enhancing water efficiency. Similarly, developing biomass cooperatives can provide rural communities with an opportunity to monetize agricultural waste, turning it into an energy asset while also addressing waste management challenges.

Türkiye’s energy transition also depends heavily on grid modernization. As renewable energy is intermittent by nature, investments in battery storage systems are essential to stabilize supply and ensure energy reliability. Moreover, implementing smart metering in agricultural and remote zones can improve energy efficiency, enable better demand management, and support real-time monitoring.

Stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors is critical to scaling up innovation and financing. Subsidizing research and development in emerging technologies particularly geothermal and offshore wind can position Türkiye as a leader in advanced renewable solutions. Additionally, promoting corporate Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) can drive industrial decarbonization while providing clean energy companies with secure long-term revenues.

By prioritizing these strategic actions, Türkiye can advance its sustainable energy transition in a way that supports economic development, enhances energy independence, and contributes meaningfully to global climate goals. A well-orchestrated policy, rural empowerment, smart infrastructure, and dynamic public-private partnerships will be key to unlocking the country’s full renewable energy potential.

Conclusion

Türkiye’s path toward a sustainable energy future is both promising and urgent. The country’s abundant renewable resources, especially solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass offer a solid foundation for reducing fossil fuel dependence, enhancing energy security, and contributing to global climate goals. With 54.3% of its installed power capacity already coming from renewables, Türkiye has made commendable progress, but further efforts are needed to shift its energy mix, which still heavily relies on imported fossil fuels.

The challenges facing Türkiye are multifaceted, including regulatory bottlenecks, limited energy storage infrastructure, underutilized rural energy systems, and inefficiencies in transmission. Addressing these issues requires an integrated approach that strengthens policy frameworks, accelerates rural renewable deployment, and modernizes the energy grid. Promoting small-scale, decentralized energy solutions such as solar-powered irrigation and community-based biomass initiatives can empower local economies and improve resilience.

Investments in smart technologies and public-private partnerships are also critical. By fostering innovation through R&D subsidies and corporate PPAs, Türkiye can unlock new opportunities in geothermal and offshore wind, while driving industrial decarbonization.

Ultimately, Türkiye stands at a pivotal juncture. With strategic planning, inclusive governance, and targeted investment, it can transform its energy landscape into a model of sustainability balancing economic growth, environmental stewardship, and social equity.

References: TEİAŞ; IEA; SHURA Energy Transition Center; TÜBİTAK; IRENA; EMRA

Please note that the views expressed in this article are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of any organization.

The writer is affiliated with the Department of Agricultural Economics, Selcuk University, Konya-Türkiye and can be reached at mdirek@selcuk.edu.tr

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