The expansion in solar capacity has been largely driven by self-consumption installations, accounting for 94% of the growth over the past two and a half years. Regulatory changes in August 2022, permitting solar facilities to be constructed in different distribution zones than their consumption sites, have further facilitated this rapid development. Consequently, Türkiye surpassed its 2025 solar target of 19 GW by August 2024, achieving the goal 18 months ahead of schedule.
Wind energy has also seen notable advancements. By mid-February 2025, Türkiye's wind power capacity reached 13.04 GW, with over 4,360 turbines operating across approximately 280 wind farms nationwide. Wind energy now contributes around 14% to the country's daily electricity production, supplying power to approximately 5 million households.
Despite the impressive growth in solar energy, wind energy expansion has faced challenges. In 2024, only 770 megawatts of wind capacity were added, bringing the total to 12.5 GW, which fell short of the Energy Ministry's target of 13.3 GW for that year. Analysts suggest that addressing the slower pace of wind energy development is crucial for meeting the nation's ambitious renewable energy goals.
In response to these developments, Türkiye has set forth an ambitious roadmap to further enhance its renewable energy infrastructure. The Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources aims to quadruple the combined wind and solar capacity to 120 GW by 2035. This plan entails installing 7.5 to 8 GW of renewable energy capacity annually, necessitating an estimated investment of $80 billion. Additionally, the strategy includes upgrading the transmission grid and infrastructure, with plans to establish a 40 GW high-voltage direct current transmission capacity, involving 14,700 kilometers of HVDC lines and 40 HVDC converters, requiring an additional $28 billion investment.
To support these objectives, Türkiye has been actively conducting Renewable Energy Resource Area tenders. In early 2025, the country allocated a total of 1.2 GW of connection capacity across five YEKA sites in three provinces. These initiatives aim to bolster renewable energy capacity growth and attract further investment in the sector.
The rapid expansion of solar and wind capacities has also had economic benefits. Over the past two and a half years, electricity generation from these sources has helped Türkiye avoid approximately $15 billion in natural gas imports, with solar energy alone displacing $5.4 billion worth of natural gas. This shift not only enhances energy security but also contributes to reducing the nation's carbon footprint.
Industry experts emphasize the importance of sustaining this momentum. Bahadır Sercan Gümüş, a senior energy analyst at Ember, noted that doubling solar energy capacity in just two and a half years and surpassing the 2025 target ahead of schedule demonstrates Türkiye's potential to set more ambitious goals. He highlighted the need for continued collaboration among policymakers, investors, financial institutions, and other stakeholders to achieve the country's renewable energy aspirations.
While the progress in solar energy is commendable, addressing the challenges in wind energy expansion remains critical. The government's focus on increasing wind capacity, as outlined in the 2035 roadmap, is expected to involve policy adjustments and incentives to attract investment and expedite project completion.
Türkiye's commitment to renewable energy is further evidenced by its plans to integrate storage solutions and explore innovative technologies. The pre-licensing of 14.6 GW of storage-integrated solar capacity as of 2024 far surpasses the 2030 National Energy Plan target of 2 GW. Additionally, floating solar installations on water reservoirs, with an estimated potential of 53 GW, are under consideration to optimize land and water use.
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