According to Turkey’s Energy and Natural Resources Minister Fatih Dönmez, solar power capacity has surpassed 10,000 MW. The country’s investments in solar power have led to this significant milestone, and Dönmez expects the installed capacity to continue growing in the future.
Turkey now ranks fifth in Europe and 12th globally in terms of installed solar power capacity. Renewable energy sources, including solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass, account for over 20 per cent of the country’s installed energy capacity.
Dönmez highlighted that renewables make up more than 50 per cent of Turkey’s total installed capacity, with approximately 40 to 45 per cent of electricity being generated from renewable sources.
Over the past decade, renewable energy capacity has grown more than fourfold, outpacing the overall growth rate. Turkey has also made strides in developing its own advanced energy technologies, with a significant share of locally developed technologies in solar, wind, and geothermal.
The country is the world’s third-largest producer of solar panels after China and Vietnam. Dönmez emphasized the importance of the recently inaugurated Karapınar solar power plant, which is the largest in Europe and a testament to Turkey’s progress in solar power.
Unlicensed solar power production has seen significant advancements, accounting for 90 per cent of all solar energy investments. The government aims to further expand renewable energy use, with the 2035 national energy plan setting ambitious targets for solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, and biomass capacities. This plan reflects Turkey’s commitment to green transformation and a sustainable green economy.
