Erden made evaluations to the AA correspondent regarding Türkiye's new road map in energy, "National Energy 2040", which was announced yesterday by the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar.
Stating that the road map focusing on electrification was prepared in line with the priorities of energy independence, supply security and combating climate change, Erden stated that the study reveals how Türkiye will develop the energy sector on the way to the 2053 net zero emission target.
Erden stated that the demand for electricity will increase until 2040 with the widespread use of electricity in areas such as transportation, industry, heating, cooling and sea water treatment, and that this transformation aims to reduce foreign dependency in energy.
Pointing to renewable energy investments to meet the increasing demand, Erden noted that the total installed power target in wind and solar energy is 120 thousand megawatts for 2035, and the 2040 target exceeds 170 thousand megawatts.
Erden stated that major investments in transmission and distribution networks are foreseen in the road map to deliver the electricity produced to consumers, and that there are also topics such as increasing battery capacity, developing electricity trade with abroad and demand side participation, and said, "We see a holistic study covering the production, transmission, consumption, and both domestic and foreign markets. From now on, I see it as very important to take action from the strategic framework and announce sub-action plans in every field." he said.
57 thousand megawatt installed power target in terrestrial wind energy
Reminding that Türkiye has an installed power target of 48 thousand megawatts in wind energy for 2035, Erden said, "The 2040 target was announced as 63 thousand megawatts. Part of this will be offshore. 6 thousand megawatts. Therefore, onshore wind investment will be made at the level of 57 thousand megawatts. If you consider that today (installed power) is at the level of 16 thousand megawatts, we are talking about a new investment of approximately 47 thousand megawatts." he said.
Regarding the investment amount envisaged for this capacity increase, Erden said, "More than 50 billion dollars of wind investment alone will be realized in the next 14 years. This is a very important investment figure. There are really significant financing needs in the coming years." he said.
Noting that renewable energy has contributed to the development of industry and employment in the last 20-25 years, Erden said that this contribution will continue with new investments.
Referring to the goal of increasing the use of domestic equipment in new investments, Erden said, "Reducing foreign and foreign dependence on equipment and ensuring supply independence there seems to be a very important topic." he said.
Referring to bringing Türkiye's critical mineral resources into the economy and increasing the use of these resources in solar, wind and battery technologies, Erden said:
"Especially when we look at wind power plants and wind turbines, magnet production is really important. Because we use them to a great extent in turbines. Likewise, they are needed in electric vehicles."
Erden stated that supporting manufacturing investments in this field offers important opportunities.
Stating that Türkiye is progressing towards its 2053 net zero emission target by setting intermediate targets, Erden emphasized that sharing the road map with the public before the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31) is important in terms of improving international cooperation and taking concrete steps.
Erden stated that the concretization of Türkiye's 2040 and 2053 targets will make it easier for the international business representatives who will attend the conference to evaluate investment opportunities and discuss possible collaborations, adding: "Companies also look at predictability and sustainable plans based on this. COP31 will be a very important opportunity to establish these collaborations in Türkiye, negotiate them, and then put them into practice." made his assessment.
Emphasis on maritime cooperation for the target of 6 thousand megawatts on sea
Murat Durak, President of the Offshore Wind Energy Association (DÜRED), also reminded that a 5 thousand megawatt installed power target was previously set for offshore wind energy for 2035, and said that the new road map aims to reach an installed power of 6 thousand megawatts for 2040.
Durak stated that the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources has identified 4 candidate sites off Saros Bay and Edremit, Bozcaada and Gökçeada, and that Türkiye's first Renewable Energy Resource Area (YEKA) competition based on offshore wind energy is planned to be held in April 2027.
Durak explained that after the tender, meteorological and oceanographic measurements may take approximately 1 to 1.5 years, and then research on the seabed will be carried out, adding:
"After 2027, I think the technical studies will be completed by 2030 and the area for the offshore wind power plant will be ready for construction in 2030. If the construction continues for about 2 years, I hope to see the first offshore wind power plant in 2032."
Pointing to Türkiye's experience in onshore wind energy and its maritime infrastructure including shipyards and ports, Durak said, "I think we can easily achieve that goal if we bring these two sectors together." he said.
Durak underlined that although the initial investment amount in offshore wind power plants is high, the amount of electricity that the power plant will produce throughout its operating life should be taken into account in the cost evaluation, and said, "The electricity production at sea is much higher." he said.
