Turkey’s energy supply strategy transitioning towards flexible gas contracts
Turkey is making significant changes in its energy supply portfolio to move away from long-term gas contracts and towards more flexible agreements. This shift is aimed at improving the competitiveness of the country’s energy market, according to Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar.
To address challenges such as reducing dependency on imports and meeting increasing energy demand, Turkey is focusing on diversifying its energy sources. Currently, two-thirds of Turkey’s primary energy comes from imports, prompting the country to pursue policies supporting its transition to a carbon-neutral economy.
Bayraktar emphasized the importance of embracing alternative energy solutions to meet demand and reduce dependency. Turkey is investing heavily in its natural gas infrastructure, with significant discoveries and expansions in regasification capacity.
With a goal of reaching 100 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2035, Turkey is also prioritizing nuclear energy, digitalization, and integrating its power grid with neighboring markets. The government aims to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2053 through renewable energy and nuclear power.
Turkey plans to add 7.2 gigawatts of nuclear capacity by 2035, with a long-term goal of 20 GW by 2050, including small modular reactors. The country is taking a comprehensive approach to energy policy, focusing on critical mineral exploration, solar panel production, and enhancing transmission grids.
Turkey plays a crucial role in Europe’s energy security through collaborations across regions. With excess gas capacity, Turkey can export up to 25 billion cubic meters to European markets. Achieving a balance between producer, transporter, and consumer countries is essential for successful partnerships in the energy sector.
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Sofia Martins graduated from the Technical University of Madrid with a degree in Agronomy, focusing on plant nutrition and soil science. She has a deep interest in sustainable fertilizer management and works to develop eco-friendly solutions that optimize plant growth while minimizing nutrient runoff. Sofia is a dedicated researcher and has published several articles on sustainable plant nutrition practices.