Türkiye is stepping up efforts to strengthen its energy security and accelerate the transition to a lower-carbon energy system, with renewable power expansion, grid investment, energy efficiency and carbon-market development emerging as key priorities, according to an International Energy Agency (IEA) assessment.
The country’s energy transition is gaining momentum following the adoption of Türkiye’s first Climate Law in 2025, which strengthened the country’s climate governance framework and established the legal basis for a national emissions trading system. With the policy and regulatory framework increasingly in place, the focus is now shifting towards effective implementation and delivery of the country’s climate and energy objectives.
Electricity Demand Set to Continue Growing
Türkiye has experienced rapid growth in electricity demand, with consumption increasing by an average of around 5% annually between 2005 and 2024. This represented the fastest rate of electricity-demand growth among IEA member countries during the period.
The IEA expects electricity demand to continue rising through 2035, increasing the need for additional generation capacity, stronger transmission infrastructure and greater flexibility across the power system.
Renewable energy is expected to play a central role in meeting this growing demand. Renewables accounted for around 43% of Türkiye’s electricity generation in 2025, while the country’s National Energy Plan targets increasing the share to 55% by 2035.
Solar and Wind Capacity to Expand
Türkiye is planning a major expansion of renewable generation capacity over the coming decade. Solar power capacity is expected to nearly quadruple between 2024 and 2035, while wind capacity is projected to triple over the same period.
Alongside renewables, Türkiye also plans to introduce nuclear power into its generation mix as part of efforts to diversify electricity supply and strengthen energy security.
The rapid expansion of variable renewable generation, however, will require significant investment in the electricity grid and energy-storage infrastructure.
Grid Expansion and Battery Storage Become Key Priorities
Türkiye plans to substantially expand its transmission network to accommodate increasing volumes of renewable electricity while maintaining grid stability and reliability.
Battery storage is also expected to become an important component of the country’s future power system, with plans to install approximately 7.5 GW of battery storage capacity by 2035.
Greater grid flexibility and storage capacity will be critical as the share of solar and wind generation increases, allowing the power system to better manage fluctuations in renewable output and changing patterns of electricity demand.
Türkiye Seeks Stronger Position as Regional Energy Hub
Türkiye’s geographical position gives it an important role in regional energy trade, connecting European markets with energy-producing regions in the Middle East and Caspian region.
The country has extensive natural gas infrastructure, including the Southern Gas Corridor and five LNG terminals, supporting its ambitions to strengthen its position as a regional energy hub.
However, dependence on imported fossil fuels remains a major vulnerability. Exposure to international fuel prices leaves Türkiye’s economy and energy system susceptible to external shocks and global market volatility.
Domestic Gas Production to Reduce Import Exposure
Türkiye is also seeking to strengthen domestic energy supplies. Production from the Sakarya Gas Field in the Black Sea is expected to reach approximately 16.5 billion cubic metres per year when operating at full capacity.
At that level, domestic production would cover more than one-quarter of Türkiye’s 2024 natural gas consumption, helping reduce reliance on imported gas and improving energy security.
More Than $20 Billion Planned for Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is another major pillar of Türkiye’s strategy to reduce energy imports and improve affordability.
The country plans to mobilise more than $20.2 billion in energy-efficiency investments between 2024 and 2030. These investments are expected to support reductions in energy consumption while strengthening competitiveness and limiting exposure to international energy-price volatility.
IEA Calls for Continued Market and Financing Reforms
Looking ahead, the IEA highlights the importance of completing energy-market reforms, improving electricity-system flexibility and developing sustainable financing frameworks for nuclear energy.
The assessment also emphasises that Türkiye’s energy strategy will need to balance several objectives, including energy security, climate action, industrial competitiveness and broader economic development.
With electricity demand continuing to rise and renewable capacity expected to expand rapidly, the effective implementation of Türkiye’s climate and energy policies, alongside investment in grids, storage, efficiency and domestic energy resources, will be critical to shaping the country’s energy transition through 2035.
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