Turkey unveils ambitious energy plan ahead of climate summit

Currently, Turkey is Europe’s largest coal power generator, with coal accounting for 33% of the nation’s electricity generation last year. Renewable sources, such as solar and wind, contribute nearly 23%.

Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar stated that the plan aims to reduce emissions by 40% by 2040 through increased electrification. He anticipates a more than fourfold increase in solar and wind energy usage over the next 13 years, with electrification reaching 36% by that time. As an example, the number of electric vehicles on Turkish roads is projected to rise from approximately 500,000 to 20 million.

The initiative requires substantial investment, estimated at $500 billion over the next 13 years. This includes $210 billion from Turkish public sector companies and the remainder from foreign investment. “If the world is serious about carbon neutrality and if we would like to fund (fighting) climate change and global warming, we need to find the money,” Bayraktar emphasized.

Recognizing the impact on communities dependent on coal mining, the minister stressed the need for a “just transition” to cleaner energy sources while ensuring employment opportunities for coal miners. “Equally important is that (coal mining) is providing at least 30,000 to 40,000 people with employment and labor opportunities. How are we going to make these miners into AI experts or high-tech experts? It’s not going to be easy. We need a just transition period.”

While transitioning away from coal, Turkey will continue to utilize natural gas, with plans to double Black Sea gas production to 7.5 billion cubic meters annually. The nation is also expanding its nuclear power capacity, with the Akkuyu plant nearing operation and plans for a second station by the Black Sea.

Bayraktar highlighted the challenges posed by geopolitical events, such as sanctions related to the wars in Ukraine and Iran, hindering global climate efforts. He urged nations to adopt “responsive and realistic policies” at COP31 to achieve carbon neutrality, noting that Turkey’s current climate targets are considered “critically insufficient” by the Climate Action Tracker.