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Türkiye must build 8,000 to 9,000 megawatts (MWs) of new power plants each year to meet its rapidly rising energy demand and expand renewable capacity, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said during the Bab-i Ali Meetings in Istanbul.
Bayraktar recalled that Türkiye aims to raise its installed solar and wind capacity to 120,000 MW by 2035.
Bayraktar said Türkiye’s energy demand continues to grow quickly, in line with global trends.
“Over the last 20 years, our electricity demand has grown nearly threefold. Natural gas demand has grown even faster. In the next 30 years, we project a threefold increase from today’s level, reaching 1,050 terawatt-hours,” he said.
The minister urged investors to continue supporting the energy sector, noting that Türkiye must reduce external dependence while meeting its rising consumption.
“Our goal is to activate our own resources and reduce energy imports, while moving toward higher value-added production and exports,” he said.
Bayraktar emphasized that Türkiye has strengthened its petroleum and natural gas exploration strategy since 2016, saying they now produce enough Black Sea gas to supply 4 million households.
With the Osman Gazi Floating Production Platform coming online next year, Bayraktar said Black Sea gas output will double, and by 2028 it will quadruple, enabling Türkiye to meet nearly 80% of residential natural gas demand with its own resources.
Calling renewable energy a “cure” for external dependence, supply security and climate goals, Bayraktar said domestic clean energy reduces reliance on imported natural gas and coal.
“Every year, we need to build 8–9 gigawatts of new power plants. Industrial facilities are also installing their own power systems, and we aim to accelerate these processes. We are improving permitting procedures,” he said.
Bayraktar added that construction at the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant continues as planned.
“We are now in the final stage for electricity generation from the first reactor. More than 90% has been completed. Akkuyu will make a major contribution to nuclear electricity production, offering uninterrupted and carbon-free energy,” he said.
Bayraktar also highlighted progress on rare earth element production, saying Türkiye discovered one of the world’s largest deposits.
At the pilot facility in Eskisehir’s Beylikova district, they have reached 92%–93% purity levels.
“Our goal is to bring this technology to Türkiye, establish an industrial-scale facility, and place Türkiye among the top five countries in this field,” he said.
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