Türkiye Surpasses 40 GW Solar And Wind Capacity, Renewables Reach 62.5% Of Power Mix

Türkiye has reached an important milestone in its clean energy journey, as the combined installed capacity of solar and wind power has officially crossed 40 gigawatts (GW). According to data released by the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, the country’s total installed electricity capacity stood at 123,284 megawatts (MW) at the end of January. Out of this, solar and wind energy account for 40,689 MW, which represents about 33 percent of the national power grid.

The latest figures show that renewable energy now makes up 62.5 percent of Türkiye’s total installed capacity, reaching 77,114 MW. This includes not only solar and wind but also other renewable sources. Solar energy has recorded strong growth and currently stands at 25,827 MW. Wind power has also expanded steadily and now contributes 14,862 MW to the system.

Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar described this progress as a “silent revolution.” He pointed out that just over 20 years ago, Türkiye had almost no installed capacity in solar and wind energy. Today, the country has already achieved one-third of its long-term goal of reaching 120,000 MW of combined solar and wind capacity by 2035.

To continue this growth, the government is using several development models. One of the main drivers is the Renewable Energy Resource Areas scheme, known as YEKA. Under this program, authorities plan to hold tenders for at least 2,000 MW of new renewable capacity each year. At the same time, there is rising interest from industrial companies that are building solar power plants to meet their own electricity needs. The ministry recently announced plans to allocate 3,500 MW specifically for self-consumption projects, especially for public institutions and key industrial sectors.

International cooperation is also supporting Türkiye’s energy expansion. A major agreement has been signed with Saudi Arabia for the development of 5,000 MW of solar and wind projects in the country. The first phase will include 2,000 MW of solar capacity. These projects are expected to supply electricity at a fixed and competitive price for 25 years.

By focusing on renewable and domestic energy resources, Türkiye aims to strengthen its energy security and reduce its dependence on costly energy imports. As the country works toward its 2035 targets, solar and wind power are set to remain central to its national energy strategy, supporting both environmental goals and long-term economic stability.