Christine Shearer, research analyst at Global Energy Monitor, and Zhanaiym Kozybay, senior researcher at Global Energy Monitor, wrote about the momentum Türkiye has gained in renewable energy as COP31 approaches, for AA Analysis.
Turkey's energy system has quietly undergone a transformation in the last 10 years. While wind and solar energy are rapidly becoming widespread, plans to build new coal power plants have almost completely fallen off the agenda.
In 2014, Türkiye ranked third in the world, right after China and India, with a coal capacity of 54.5 gigawatts (GW) in the project phase. According to Global Energy Monitor (GEM) data, almost all of these projects have been shelved or canceled since then. Today, only a few coal projects remain, such as the capacity increase of the Afşin-Elbistan power plant and the new unit to be added to the Cenal power plant in Çanakkale.
In the same period, renewable energy gained great momentum. The share of wind and solar energy in Türkiye's total installed power has reached one third. The government aims to triple the total capacity of these two resources to 120 GW by 2035.
Türkiye, which will host the UN's annual climate summit COP31, called for 35 percent of global energy demand to be met with electricity by 2035. It is of great importance that this electrification target is supported by an equally determined step towards providing the electricity produced from renewable sources. While such a move would enable Turkey to completely exit new coal investments, it would also set an example to the world on how clean energy can simultaneously advance economic growth, energy security and climate goals.
Renewable energy is already reducing Turkey's fuel bill
Türkiye has already begun to see the contributions of the growth in renewable energy to energy security. According to the estimates of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, thanks to the increase in wind and solar energy, Türkiye was saved from fossil fuel imports worth $21.5 billion between 2015 and 2025.
Behind this savings lies the rapid spread of wind and solar energy. These resources, which have become the lowest-cost options for new electricity production today, also constitute the fastest-growing item among the country's planned energy investments.
Türkiye also stands out among the world leaders in battery storage investments integrated with renewable energy. Increasing storage costs make it both easier and cheaper to include more renewable energy in the system without risking grid security and disrupting demand.
Moreover, Türkiye has the potential to carry its goals much further. Especially in the coming period when electrification will accelerate, moving renewable energy investments beyond current plans can multiply the savings on imported fuel bills. Meeting this increasing electricity need with renewable resources will not limit energy security gains only to the electricity sector but will spread them throughout the economy.
In addition, Türkiye is at the heart of an enormous potential that has not yet been exploited in terms of wind and solar. This geographical advantage offers the country the opportunity to take a much stronger role in the clean energy transition in the Mediterranean basin. As a matter of fact, the recent shocks in global energy markets due to the US/Israel-Iran War have once again proven how vital wind and solar, which are not affected by fluctuations in global fuel prices, including coal, are for energy security.
Coal quality is also effective
For many years, domestic coal was seen as a solution that would strengthen Turkey's energy security by reducing dependence on imported fuels. However, as the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources data reveal, 93 percent of Turkey's coal reserves consist of low-calorie lignite and asphaltite. This means burning much more coal to produce the same amount of energy and therefore creating much more environmental pollution.
Moreover, there are serious performance and efficiency problems in domestic coal power plants. According to the analysis of energy think tank Ember, only half of Turkey's 10.4 GW domestic coal installed power can actively produce electricity due to frequent failures. Power plants using low-calorie lignite and asphaltite experience five times more malfunctions and downtime compared to imported coal power plants.
Domestic coal remains a significant source of employment in some regions, making supporting workers and locals a key part of the clean energy transition. On the other hand, current research indicates that renewable energy investments can create thousands of new job opportunities even in the Afşin-Elbistan region alone.
The European market is changing its shell
Transforming trade standards in neighboring markets are also accelerating Turkey's transition from coal. The EU's Borderline Carbon Regulation Mechanism (SKDM), which officially came into force in January; It brings additional costs to the carbon emissions contained in imported products such as iron and steel, aluminum, cement and electricity.
In the first months of 2026, Türkiye ranked first in EU imports within the scope of SKDM. This situation creates a strong economic motivation for Turkey to reduce carbon intensity in both industrial production and the electricity grid.
The European Commission is also scrutinizing indirect emissions from electricity used in the production of imported products. In this regard, studies are being carried out on how to include power purchase agreements (PPAs) and verified electricity emissions in the calculation.
In short, Turkey's energy transformation is now directly linked not only to its climate targets, but also to maintaining its competitiveness in industry and trade with Europe.
Taking Turkey's renewable energy momentum one step further
Türkiye has already made significant progress in shelving new coal projects and turning to clean energy. The growth in renewable energy prevents billions of dollars of fossil fuel imports and protects the country against fluctuations in global energy markets. Moreover, this transformation also reduces dependence on coal, which is brought to the agenda with chronic environmental pollution and power plant failures.
But there is still a long way to go. While the transition to electricity is accelerating, especially in transportation, heating and industry, increasing renewable energy investments and completely closing the new coal book can provide much greater savings in imported fuel bills.
By supporting the global call for electrification with an equally determined step towards clean energy, Turkey can crown its domestic achievements and offer an inspiring model to other countries seeking to break away from fossil fuel addiction.
