The Renewable Energy Sector Had a Successful Year

The renewable energy sector ended 2022 on a "successful" note despite the negative spillover effects of geopolitical tensions in Turkey's immediate region. By year-end, clean energy installed capacity from Wind, Solar, Geothermal and Biomass sources reached 25,000 megawatts.

Alper Kalaycı, Chair of the Board of Energy Industrialists and Business People Association, commenting on assessments of 2022, noted that the past year will go down in history as the year Turkey surpassed the 100,000 megawatt threshold in installed electrical power capacity, and continued:

"To reach our total installed capacity of 104,000 MW by year-end, we invested 100 billion dollars over the last 20 years in electricity generation, transmission and distribution. We must recognize the significance of this investment, a substantial portion of which was undertaken by the private sector."

Kalaycı, stating that "while the progress we have made truly represents commendable success, when considering the country's potential, we must say we are still at the starting point," continued:

"Today, Turkey could readily reach 20,000 MW installed capacity each in Wind and Solar, and 5,000 MW each in Geothermal and Biomass. Our efforts as ENSIA are aimed at ensuring our country makes far greater use of renewable and clean energy sources that can be described with the word 'limitless.' The most important aspect of 2022 for us was the increased awareness of Offshore Wind Energy Power Plants, in which Turkey has 75,000 megawatts of installed capacity potential but has been at zero. It made us happy to witness this awareness expressed by our Minister of Industry and Technology at the Turkey Wind Energy Congress held in İzmir in October. However, as sector representatives, our expectations from our government and bureaucracy are far greater." [caption id="attachment_147989" align="aligncenter"] Alper Kalaycı[/caption]

More than fourfold increase in the past two years

ENSIA Chair Kalaycı noted that the energy prices paid by Turkish industrialists rose more than fourfold over the past two years, climbing to 20 cents/dollar, and commented that seeing 30 cents/dollar this year would not be surprising.

We can reach 10,000 MW installed capacity by 2030

"The YEKDEM criticized in those years has become one of the pillars keeping our industry afloat today. Turkey, despite all the constraints it faces, is writing a true success story. In offshore wind farms, we can reach at least 10,000 MW installed capacity by 2030. In geothermal energy, where investments came to a standstill in 2022, we can readily increase our current 1,686 MW installed capacity to above 5,000 MW. Green Hydrogen is a source the world talks about most today and is defined as 'the energy of the future.' And as a country, we can enter the ranks of the world's energy exporting nations through Green Hydrogen. In our contacts abroad, the fact that our country has not yet announced strategic targets for offshore wind farms and that policy documents are not aligned with international investment requirements constantly emerge as fundamental shortcomings. Global giants are eagerly awaiting the announcement of these targets and the alignment of legislation with international systems. I must note that unfortunately, countries that are influential in global renewable and clean energy already know our potential better than we do ourselves. We are sharing these thoughts and impressions with public authorities, especially our Energy Ministry. We are hopeful that these targets will be announced to the world in the short term."