Renewable Energy Transition in Turkiye: Challenges and Opportunities

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at Akdeniz University have conducted a comprehensive study on Turkiye's energy transition process, highlighting the need for sustainable, fair, and holistic approaches. The study employed quantitative data, qualitative interviews, spatial analysis, and scenario modeling techniques to evaluate the economic, environmental, and social impacts of energy policies in Turkiye. The findings reveal significant structural differences between Turkiye and the European Union, with Turkiye lagging behind in renewable energy share, energy intensity, and dependence on fossil fuels. The research proposes short-term to long-term transition policies, including energy cooperatives, carbon pricing, and net-zero laws, which could increase the renewable energy rate to 65% by 2035 and reduce carbon emissions by 50%.

Key Takeaways:

  • Turkiye's renewable energy share (42%) is lower than the EU average (63%).
  • Energy intensity in Turkiye is high, with 6.8 MJ per US dollar of GDP.
  • Dependence on fossil fuels (coal 30%, natural gas 25%) threatens energy security in Turkiye.
  • The main obstacles to energy transition in Turkiye are insufficient financing, lack of political will, technological incompatibilities, and institutional coordination problems.
  • The study proposed a multi-layered solution framework, including energy cooperatives, carbon pricing, and net-zero laws.
  • The proposed policies could increase the renewable energy rate to 65% by 2035.
  • Carbon emissions could be reduced by 50% through the implementation of these policies.

Statistics:

  • Turkiye's renewable energy share: 42%
  • EU average renewable energy share: 63%
  • Energy intensity in Turkiye: 6.8 MJ per US dollar of GDP
  • Dependence on fossil fuels in Turkiye: coal 30%, natural gas 25%
  • Proposed renewable energy rate by 2035: 65%
  • Potential reduction in carbon emissions: 50%

Sources:

  • Structural Obstacles to Energy Transition in Turkiye and Holistic Solution Proposals: A Political, Economic and Social Dimensional Analysis. Energies, 2025,18(10):2591.
  • Muhammed Ernur Akiner, Department of Environmental Protection Technologies, Vocational School of Technical Sciences, Akdeniz University, Antalya TR-07058, Turkiye.