Türkiye has become one of the important renewable energy markets in Europe and the wider region. Its geographical position, large land area, high solar irradiation, strong wind resources, substantial hydroelectric potential and significant geothermal resources provide the country with a diversified renewable energy base.
Renewable energy has become an increasingly important part of Türkiye’s energy strategy. The country is seeking to reduce its dependence on imported fossil fuels, improve energy security, increase domestic electricity production, support industrial development and accelerate the transition toward a lower-carbon economy.
As of the end of July 2026, Türkiye’s total installed electricity capacity reached 126,476 MW, of which 79,433 MW, or 62.8%, came from renewable energy sources. Solar accounted for 21.7% of total installed capacity, wind for 12.1%, hydropower for 25.6%, geothermal for 1.4%, and other renewable sources for part of the remaining capacity.
The rapid expansion of solar and wind power is particularly significant. By July 2026, combined solar and wind capacity had reached 42,865 MW, representing approximately 33.8% of Türkiye’s total installed electricity capacity.
The Importance of Renewable Energy to Türkiye
Renewable energy has strategic importance for Türkiye for several reasons.
- Energy Security
Türkiye imports a substantial amount of its fossil fuel requirements. Increasing renewable electricity production can reduce exposure to international oil and natural gas prices and improve long-term energy security.
- Reducing Energy Imports
Solar, wind, hydroelectric and geothermal resources are domestic resources. Increasing their use can help reduce the country’s dependence on imported energy.
- Economic Development
Renewable energy investments create demand for engineering, construction, manufacturing, logistics, finance, maintenance and other services.
- Industrial Development
The growth of renewable energy has encouraged the development of domestic manufacturing capabilities for solar panels, wind turbine components, electrical equipment, transformers and other technologies.
- Environmental Benefits
Renewable energy can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution compared with conventional fossil-fuel-based electricity generation.
- Regional Development
Many renewable energy projects are located outside Türkiye’s largest cities. Solar, wind, hydroelectric and geothermal investments can therefore contribute to regional economic development.
Main Renewable Energy Sources in Türkiye
Türkiye’s renewable energy industry is based on several major resources:
Hydroelectric power
Solar energy
Wind energy
Geothermal energy
Biomass and biogas
Small-scale distributed generation
Emerging offshore wind projects
Renewable-based green hydrogen
This diversity is one of the country’s major advantages.
Hydroelectric Energy
Hydropower has historically been the largest renewable electricity source in Türkiye.
Türkiye has numerous rivers and mountainous regions that provide significant hydroelectric potential. Large dam projects have played an important role in the country’s electricity system for decades.
By the end of July 2026, hydropower represented approximately 25.6% of Türkiye’s total installed electricity capacity, making it the largest individual renewable source in the country’s capacity mix.
Hydroelectric power provides several advantages:
Domestic electricity generation
Low operating costs after construction
Large-scale electricity production
Grid balancing capabilities
Potential energy storage through reservoir systems
Support for regional development
However, large hydropower projects can also create environmental and social challenges, including changes to river ecosystems, land use and water management.
Solar Energy
Solar energy has become one of the fastest-growing parts of Türkiye’s renewable energy sector.
Türkiye benefits from relatively high levels of solar irradiation, particularly in southern and southeastern regions. The Southeastern Anatolia and Mediterranean regions have particularly strong solar potential.
The Ministry of Energy reports that Türkiye’s solar installed capacity increased from only 40.2 MW in 2014 to 25,827 MW by January 2026, representing a 641-fold increase in twelve years.
By the end of July 2026, solar capacity had increased further to 27,507 MW, representing 21.7% of total installed electricity capacity.
Solar energy is particularly attractive because photovoltaic systems can be installed at different scales.
They include:
Large solar power plants
Industrial rooftop systems
Commercial rooftop systems
Residential rooftop systems
Agricultural solar installations
Small distributed systems
Hybrid solar projects
Rooftop Solar Energy
Rooftop solar is becoming increasingly important for Turkish businesses and households.
Factories, warehouses, shopping centers, hotels, farms and commercial buildings can install photovoltaic systems to generate electricity for their own consumption.
For industrial companies, rooftop solar can help:
Reduce electricity costs
Improve energy independence
Reduce exposure to electricity price fluctuations
Support corporate sustainability targets
Reduce carbon emissions
Türkiye’s large industrial base provides significant potential for further expansion of commercial and industrial rooftop solar systems.
Wind Energy
Wind power is another major pillar of Türkiye’s renewable energy industry.
Türkiye has particularly strong wind resources along the Aegean and Marmara coasts and in several inland regions.
By the end of July 2026, Türkiye had 15,358 MW of installed wind capacity, representing 12.1% of total installed electricity capacity.
Major wind-energy development areas include:
İzmir
Manisa
Balıkesir
Çanakkale
Muğla
Aydın
İstanbul and surrounding regions
Western Anatolia
Parts of Central Anatolia
The country’s established industrial infrastructure around İzmir and other western provinces also supports the development and manufacturing of wind-energy equipment.
Offshore Wind Energy
Offshore wind represents a potential new phase of development for Türkiye.
The country has a long coastline and several areas with potentially attractive offshore wind conditions.
Offshore wind projects could create new investment opportunities in:
Turbine manufacturing
Marine engineering
Port infrastructure
Shipbuilding
Installation services
Underwater cables
Operations and maintenance
Maritime logistics
Türkiye’s existing maritime and industrial capabilities could provide advantages in the development of an offshore wind industry.
Solar and Wind Growth
The growth of solar and wind energy has been one of the most important developments in Türkiye’s electricity sector.
At the end of January 2026, combined solar and wind installed capacity had already reached 40,689 MW, representing approximately one-third of Türkiye’s total installed electricity capacity at that time.
By July 2026, the combined figure had increased to 42,865 MW.
Türkiye has established a long-term objective of reaching 120,000 MW of combined solar and wind capacity by 2035.
This target is expected to drive significant investment in generation capacity, electricity transmission, energy storage, manufacturing and grid modernization.
Geothermal Energy
Türkiye is one of the world’s important geothermal energy countries.
Its location within a tectonically active region provides significant geothermal resources.
Geothermal energy is particularly important in western Türkiye, especially in the Aegean region.
Important geothermal areas include:
Aydın
Denizli
Manisa
İzmir
Kütahya
Afyonkarahisar
Geothermal resources can be used for:
Electricity generation
District heating
Greenhouses
Agricultural applications
Thermal tourism
Industrial processes
Türkiye’s geothermal sector therefore has applications extending beyond electricity production.
Biomass and Biogas
Biomass is another component of Türkiye’s renewable energy industry.
Agricultural production, animal farming, forestry activities and municipal waste generate significant quantities of organic material that can potentially be converted into energy.
Biogas facilities can use:
Animal waste
Agricultural residues
Food waste
Organic municipal waste
Wastewater treatment by-products
Biomass energy can simultaneously contribute to waste management and electricity or heat production.
Renewable Energy and Industry
The expansion of renewable energy is closely connected with Türkiye’s industrial sector.
Large manufacturing companies increasingly invest in renewable electricity in order to reduce energy costs and meet sustainability requirements.
Renewable energy can be particularly important for energy-intensive industries such as:
Steel
Cement
Chemicals
Automotive
Textiles
Food processing
Glass
Ceramics
Machinery
The availability of renewable electricity may also become an increasingly important factor in attracting international manufacturers seeking lower-carbon production locations.
Domestic Renewable Energy Equipment Manufacturing
Türkiye has developed an increasingly important manufacturing ecosystem around renewable energy.
Companies operating in the country produce or assemble various components for:
Solar panels
Solar inverters
Wind turbines
Wind turbine components
Transformers
Electrical equipment
Cables
Steel structures
Energy-storage systems
Monitoring systems
The development of domestic manufacturing can reduce import dependence and create export opportunities.
Türkiye’s geographical position between Europe, Asia, the Middle East and North Africa also provides potential advantages for renewable-energy equipment exports.
Energy Storage
Energy storage is becoming increasingly important as solar and wind capacity grows.
Unlike conventional power plants, solar and wind generation depends on weather conditions. Storage technologies can help balance production and consumption.
Potential storage technologies include:
Lithium-ion batteries
Grid-scale battery systems
Pumped-storage hydropower
Thermal storage
Hydrogen
Other emerging technologies
Battery storage can help absorb excess solar electricity during periods of high daytime production and make it available when demand increases.
Energy storage will therefore be an important part of Türkiye’s future electricity infrastructure.
Electricity Grid Modernization
The rapid growth of renewable energy requires investment not only in power plants but also in electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure.
Türkiye needs a flexible electricity system capable of managing large quantities of variable renewable generation.
Future grid investments may include:
New transmission lines
Digital substations
Smart-grid technologies
Advanced forecasting systems
Automated grid management
Battery storage
Flexible generation
Interconnection capacity
Grid modernization will be essential for integrating additional solar and wind projects.
Renewable Energy and Electric Vehicles
The expansion of renewable electricity is closely connected with the development of electric vehicles.
As electric vehicle adoption increases, electricity demand from transportation is expected to grow.
If electric vehicles are charged using renewable electricity, they can contribute to lower overall transportation emissions.
Türkiye’s growing automotive industry creates opportunities for integration between:
Renewable energy
Electric vehicles
Battery manufacturing
Charging infrastructure
Smart grids
Energy storage
This could become an important part of Türkiye’s future clean-energy ecosystem.
Green Hydrogen
Green hydrogen represents another potential growth area.
Green hydrogen is produced using electricity generated from renewable sources.
Türkiye could potentially use its expanding solar and wind capacity to produce hydrogen for:
Industry
Heavy transportation
Shipping
Aviation fuels
Chemical production
Steel manufacturing
Energy storage
Export markets
Although the sector is still developing, green hydrogen could become strategically important as international demand for low-carbon industrial fuels increases.
Renewable Energy and Exports
Renewable energy can indirectly strengthen Türkiye’s export competitiveness.
European markets are increasingly concerned with the carbon intensity of imported products. Türkiye’s geographical proximity to Europe means that access to lower-carbon electricity could become an important competitive advantage for Turkish exporters.
Industries producing goods with renewable electricity may have advantages in markets where customers increasingly demand lower-carbon supply chains.
This could be particularly relevant for:
Automotive manufacturing
Steel
Aluminum
Textiles
Chemicals
Machinery
Consumer goods
Investment Opportunities
Türkiye’s renewable energy sector offers opportunities for both domestic and international investors.
Potential investment areas include:
Solar Power
Large-scale solar farms and distributed solar installations remain major opportunities.
Wind Power
Onshore wind continues to offer significant development potential.
Offshore Wind
Offshore wind could create a new investment market involving energy and maritime industries.
Energy Storage
Battery systems and other storage technologies are expected to become increasingly important.
Manufacturing
There are opportunities in the domestic production of renewable-energy equipment.
Grid Infrastructure
Transmission, distribution and smart-grid investments will be required to support additional renewable capacity.
Green Hydrogen
The development of renewable hydrogen production could create a new industrial market.
Energy Services
Energy management, monitoring, maintenance, software and engineering services represent additional opportunities.
Employment in Renewable Energy
Renewable energy creates employment throughout the project lifecycle.
Jobs can be created in:
Engineering
Construction
Manufacturing
Electrical installation
Project management
Finance
Logistics
Operations
Maintenance
Software
Research and development
Environmental services
The development of domestic manufacturing can increase the economic impact of renewable-energy investments beyond the construction of power plants themselves.
Regional Distribution of Renewable Energy
Türkiye’s renewable resources vary significantly between regions.
Region Major Renewable Energy Opportunities
Aegean Wind, solar, geothermal
Mediterranean Solar, hydro, wind
Southeastern Anatolia Solar, hydro
Central Anatolia Solar, wind
Marmara Wind, solar
Eastern Anatolia Hydro, solar, wind
Black Sea Hydro, wind
Western Anatolia Geothermal, wind, solar
The Aegean region is particularly important for wind and geothermal energy, while southeastern Türkiye has some of the country’s strongest solar resources. The Ministry of Energy identifies Southeastern Anatolia as Türkiye’s region with the greatest solar-energy potential.
Renewable Energy and Tourism
Renewable energy also has growing relevance for Türkiye’s tourism industry.
Hotels, resorts, marinas and tourism facilities consume significant amounts of electricity, particularly during the summer season.
Solar power can help tourism businesses reduce electricity costs and improve their environmental performance.
Potential applications include:
Hotel rooftop solar
Solar water heating
Solar-powered irrigation
Energy-efficient resorts
Renewable-powered marinas
Electric vehicle charging
Sustainable tourism facilities
This is particularly relevant to destinations such as Antalya, Muğla, İzmir, Aydın and other Mediterranean and Aegean tourism centers.
Renewable Energy and Agriculture
Agriculture can also benefit from renewable energy.
Solar systems can provide electricity for:
Irrigation pumps
Greenhouses
Agricultural facilities
Cold storage
Food processing
Farms
Water pumping
Agrivoltaic systems, which combine agricultural production with solar-energy generation, may offer additional opportunities where suitable land-management models can be developed.
Strengths of Türkiye’s Renewable Energy Sector
Türkiye has several major advantages.
Strong Natural Resources
The country has significant solar, wind, hydroelectric and geothermal potential.
Large Domestic Market
Türkiye has a large population and substantial electricity demand.
Industrial Infrastructure
The country has developed manufacturing and engineering capabilities.
Strategic Location
Türkiye connects European, Asian and Middle Eastern markets.
Growing Solar and Wind Capacity
Solar and wind have expanded rapidly in recent years.
Experienced Energy Companies
Türkiye has developed companies with experience in project development, engineering, construction and energy operations.
Large Investment Potential
The continued expansion of renewable energy creates opportunities across generation, manufacturing, storage and infrastructure.
Challenges Facing the Sector
Despite its rapid growth, Türkiye’s renewable energy industry faces several challenges.
Grid Capacity
Rapid renewable-energy expansion requires sufficient transmission and distribution capacity.
Financing
Large renewable projects require substantial capital investment.
Land and Permitting
Obtaining suitable land and completing regulatory processes can affect project timelines.
Environmental Concerns
Renewable projects must be carefully planned to minimize environmental impacts.
Equipment Costs
Exchange-rate movements and international supply-chain conditions can affect project costs.
Storage Requirements
Increasing solar and wind penetration creates a greater need for energy-storage technologies.
Skilled Workforce
The industry requires engineers, technicians, software specialists and other skilled professionals.
Grid Flexibility
The electricity system must become increasingly flexible as variable renewable generation increases.
Türkiye’s 2035 Renewable Energy Vision
Türkiye is pursuing significant renewable-energy expansion through 2035.
One of the most important targets is increasing combined solar and wind installed capacity to 120,000 MW by 2035.
This objective will require major investments in:
Solar power plants
Wind farms
Transmission infrastructure
Energy storage
Domestic equipment manufacturing
Digital energy systems
Grid modernization
Research and development
The national energy strategy also anticipates substantial growth in electricity demand. Türkiye’s Ministry of Energy expects electricity consumption to rise from 360.9 TWh in 2025 to approximately 455.3 TWh in 2030 and 510.5 TWh in 2035.
This increasing demand creates both a challenge and an opportunity for renewable energy.
The Future of Renewable Energy in Türkiye
The renewable energy sector is expected to remain one of the fastest-growing areas of Türkiye’s energy economy.
Several trends are likely to shape the industry during the coming years:
Rapid expansion of solar power
Continued development of onshore wind
Development of offshore wind opportunities
Growth of battery storage
Expansion of rooftop solar
Greater use of renewable energy by industry
Development of green hydrogen
Digitalization of electricity networks
Expansion of electric vehicles
Increased domestic manufacturing
Growth of renewable-energy exports
Greater integration of energy and industrial policy
The combination of solar and wind is expected to become increasingly important within Türkiye’s electricity system.
Renewable Energy as a Strategic Industry
Renewable energy is no longer simply an environmental policy issue for Türkiye. It has become an important part of industrial, economic and national energy strategy.
The sector connects several areas of the Turkish economy:
Energy + Manufacturing + Technology + Construction + Finance + Transportation + Automotive + Agriculture + Tourism + Digitalization
This makes renewable energy one of the most interconnected growth sectors in the Turkish economy.
Türkiye’s renewable energy sector has undergone a major transformation over the past decade.
Hydropower remains an important foundation of the country’s renewable electricity system, while solar and wind have experienced particularly rapid growth. Geothermal and biomass provide additional diversification.
As of July 2026, renewable sources represented 62.8% of Türkiye’s total installed electricity capacity, with 79,433 MW of renewable capacity out of a total 126,476 MW.
The rapid increase in solar and wind capacity demonstrates the scale of Türkiye’s energy transition. At the same time, the country’s renewable-energy development is creating opportunities in manufacturing, engineering, construction, energy storage, electric vehicles, green hydrogen and digital technologies.
With rising electricity demand and a long-term target of 120 GW of combined solar and wind capacity by 2035, Türkiye is positioned to remain a major renewable-energy investment market in the region.
The future of Türkiye’s energy sector is therefore likely to be increasingly shaped by renewable electricity, advanced grid infrastructure, energy storage, domestic technology and the integration of clean energy with industry and transportation.
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