Renewable energy is already central to Türkiye’s electricity system. Hydropower has supplied domestic electricity for decades, wind farms now line parts of the Aegean and Marmara regions, and solar capacity has expanded across central and southern Anatolia. By May 2026, renewable sources represented more than 60% of national installed power capacity.
That figure does not mean fossil fuels have lost their influence. Coal and natural gas still produced more than half of Türkiye’s electricity in 2025, and coal remained the single largest generating source. The transition is therefore entering a more demanding stage. New solar and wind projects must produce enough electricity, connect to an expanded grid and reduce dependence on imported fuels while meeting rapidly growing demand.
Hydropower created the foundation, but its output changes with rainfall
Türkiye’s renewable power system began with rivers rather than solar panels or wind turbines. Large dams on the Euphrates, Tigris and other rivers were developed for electricity, irrigation and regional development. At the end of May 2026, hydraulic plants represented 25.8% of Türkiye’s total installed capacity, equal to roughly 32 GW. Solar had moved close behind in capacity terms, but hydropower still provides important system services. Reservoir plants can respond quickly to changes in demand, while pumped storage could help balance larger volumes of wind and solar.
Hydropower’s weakness is variability. Its generation depends on rainfall, snow accumulation and reservoir conditions. In wet years, it can reduce the need for gas and coal generation. During dry periods, the same installed capacity produces less electricity, increasing pressure on thermal plants and energy imports. Climate change may make this variation harder to manage when drought affects electricity, agriculture and urban water supply together.
This explains the difference between installed capacity and actual generation. Hydropower accounted for 15.8% of electricity production in 2025, well below its share of capacity. Türkiye needs hydropower for flexibility, but it cannot depend on dams alone to deliver steady renewable growth.
Solar has become the fastest-moving part of the market
Solar power is changing the geography and structure of Türkiye’s renewable sector. The south, southeast and central plateau have strong irradiation, while large industrial zones create demand near potential project sites. Solar capacity represented 21.4% of total installed power by May 2026, or almost 27 GW.
Much of this growth has come from unlicensed generation. These projects are often developed for self-consumption by factories, commercial facilities and farms rather than as traditional merchant plants. Türkiye added about 4.7 GW of solar capacity during 2025, with the large majority coming from unlicensed projects. This model has allowed industrial consumers to manage electricity costs and reduce exposure to market prices.
Producers in steel, cement, automotive components, textiles, appliances and food processing face increasing pressure to control energy costs and reduce the carbon content of exports. Solar generation located at or near industrial facilities can support both goals, especially as European climate and trade rules become more influential.
Renewable Energy Resource Area, or YEKA, tenders allocate capacity through competitive processes and often include requirements intended to support domestic manufacturing and investment. Türkiye completed solar and wind YEKA competitions totaling 3.8 GW in 2025, associated with an estimated investment value of about US$4 billion.
Solar expansion will increasingly require storage and more flexible grid operation. Midday production can rise faster than regional demand, while evening demand remains high after output falls. Batteries, pumped storage, demand response and stronger transmission links will become essential as the solar share increases.
Wind combines strong onshore resources with an offshore option
Wind power represented about 12% of Türkiye’s installed capacity in May 2026, equal to approximately 15 GW. The most established projects are in the Aegean and Marmara regions, close to major industrial and urban demand. Wind complements solar because production does not follow the same daily pattern. A mixed portfolio can generate across more hours and seasons, reducing balancing needs. Türkiye’s wind industry has also developed a domestic supply chain that includes towers, blades, components, engineering and maintenance services. YEKA tenders have helped connect renewable deployment with industrial policy.
Offshore wind remains a future opportunity rather than a major operating industry. The Ministry of Energy’s resource assessment identifies technical potential in the Black Sea, Aegean Sea and Sea of Marmara, including more than 20 GW under the assumptions used in its national wind atlas. Commercial development will require seabed studies, ports, transmission planning and a bankable auction framework.
Onshore wind will provide most near-term additions. Offshore projects could follow if ports and manufacturing capacity develop.
Geothermal energy gives Türkiye a distinctive firm renewable source
Türkiye’s geothermal resources separate it from many other large renewable markets. Most power projects are in western Anatolia, especially around the Büyük Menderes and Gediz grabens. Geothermal plants represented about 1.4% of installed capacity in May 2026 and supplied 3.2% of electricity generation in 2025.
The higher generation share reflects geothermal energy’s ability to operate for long periods. It can provide firm renewable electricity and reduce some of the balancing pressure created by variable generation. Geothermal heat is also used in district heating, greenhouses, tourism and industrial applications.
Development still requires careful environmental management. Geothermal fluids can contain gases and minerals, and poorly controlled operations may affect air, water or agriculture. Reinjection, emissions controls and reservoir management are therefore central to the sector’s long-term acceptance.
Biomass and waste-to-energy plants add another source of dispatchable renewable power, although they remain much smaller than hydro, solar or wind. They are most useful where agricultural, municipal or industrial waste can support reliable fuel supply.
The 2035 target turns grid development into the main test
Türkiye has set a target of 120 GW of combined solar and wind capacity by 2035. With roughly 42 GW installed by May 2026, the country must add capacity much faster to close the gap. The government has stated that it plans to hold at least 2 GW of YEKA competitions each year, while private and unlicensed projects are expected to supply additional growth.
Transmission is the critical link. The renewable roadmap includes major expansion of alternating-current lines, cross-border interconnection and a planned high-voltage direct-current corridor. These investments would move electricity from resource-rich regions to major cities and industrial centers while maintaining stability.
Permitting and connection processes will also shape results. Stable auction rules, predictable currency and financing conditions, equipment supply and access to storage will influence whether announced targets become operating plants.
Türkiye’s renewable expansion has a strong energy-security purpose. The country imports most of its oil and natural gas, and some coal-fired generation also relies on imported fuel. Domestic wind, solar, hydro and geothermal resources can reduce exposure to foreign prices and supply disruptions. Renewable capacity must ultimately displace fossil generation, not simply grow beside it.
Renewable energy is moving from scale to system integration
Türkiye has already created one of the region’s largest renewable power systems. Hydropower provides the foundation, solar is delivering the fastest capacity growth, wind supports a broader generation profile, and geothermal adds firm low-carbon electricity.
The next phase will be measured by integration rather than project counts. Grid expansion, storage, flexible markets and consistent investment rules will determine whether Türkiye can convert its large renewable capacity into a sustained reduction in fossil-fuel dependence by 2035.
