Türkiye Boosts Renewable Energy Capacity

Deputy Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar stated that Turkey ranked 12th globally and 5th in Europe last year in terms of installed renewable energy capacity, saying, "Over the past 10 years, YEKDEM has provided USD 27 billion in support. We provided this support to investors to reduce their carbon emissions." Bayraktar spoke at an online meeting titled "Combating Climate Change and Energy Sector Transformation" organized by the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TÜSİAD), noting that Turkey has achieved major success in supply security, competitiveness and sustainability in the energy sector over the past 20 years. Reminding that installed electricity capacity is approaching 100,000 megawatts, Bayraktar stated that the sector is entering a new phase and that different challenges may emerge in this period.

Bayraktar, drawing attention to the need for Turkey to write a new success story in this period, continued as follows:

"Looking at the structure and dynamics of the sector, we will also succeed in transitioning to a green economy in this period. Turkey is making intensive efforts to manage both climate change and supply security together. According to a new report from the International Renewable Energy Agency, Turkey surpassed the United Kingdom last year in installed renewable energy capacity, rising to 12th place globally and 5th in Europe. This happens through great struggle and billions of dollars in investment. Under the Renewable Energy Resources Support Mechanism (YEKDEM), we provided USD 6 billion just last year to support renewable energy. Over the past 10 years, YEKDEM has provided USD 27 billion in support. We provided this support to investors to reduce their carbon emissions." Bayraktar stated that Turkey was not positioned fairly in the Paris Agreement and that this error needs to be corrected.

"A transformation year for the natural gas market"

Bayraktar, noting that the natural gas discovery in the Black Sea will hold an important place in the energy sector's transformation process, said, "After the 405 billion cubic meters of natural gas we discovered in the Sakarya Gas Field begins to be used in 2023, Turkey will be able to use its own natural gas of 15-16 billion cubic meters annually in 2025-2026. This is a region that contains even higher potential." Stating that Turkey needs gas power plants operating under more flexible conditions to achieve greater renewable energy targets, Bayraktar said, "Today, gas power plants in Turkey are facing serious difficulties. If we can provide cheaper gas, these plants can operate more and we can feed more renewable sources into the system. Therefore, it is possible for Turkey to reach its targets through a gas revolution." Bayraktar, referring to the natural gas market targets in the Economic Reform Package announced by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, noted that they are working intensively on the transformation of the natural gas sector and hoped that 2021 would be a transformation year in this regard. Recalling that many of Turkey's long-term natural gas contracts expire this year, Bayraktar said, "Contracts are one of the most important obstacles to this transformation. Therefore, if we can make this transformation in natural gas this year as we did in electricity, I believe we will pass an important milestone."

"Solutions should advance through green transition"

TÜSİAD Deputy Chairman and Energy and Environment Roundtable Chairman Murat Özyeğin stated that they consider Turkey-specific Emissions Trading System implementation important as an effective tool in reducing energy intensity in the economy and bringing carbon emissions to minimum levels. Özyeğin, expressing that such a system would accelerate the private sector's green transition process, said, "As Turkey, we are located in the Mediterranean basin, a region that will be most affected by climate change. In this sense, it is important that solutions for environmental, social and economic problems advance through green economic transformation." TÜSİAD Board Member and Investment Climate Roundtable Chairman Fatih Kemal Ebiçlioğlu said that the issue of sustainable development has become an initiative that the business world needs to consider. Ebiçlioğlu noted that Turkish business has taken important steps in producing energy-efficient products to contribute to a carbon-neutral economy.