Türkiye generated a combined 442.2 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity from solar and wind power between 2015 and 2025, helping reduce fossil-fuel imports and carbon emissions, according to data from the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry.

The renewable output was equivalent to electricity that would have required around $21.5 billion in imported coal or $43.3 billion in imported natural gas.

The ministry estimated that replacing coal-fired generation with solar and wind prevented up to 354 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions over the decade.

The figures were released on World Zero Emissions Day, observed annually on September 21 to highlight the impact of fossil fuels and promote cleaner energy.

Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said Türkiye was expanding renewable energy as part of its drive toward net-zero emissions by 2053 and greater energy independence.

He said the country aims to reach 120 gigawatts of renewable-energy capacity by 2035.

Renewable generation has expanded sharply over the past decade.

 Solar and wind accounted for 11.6 per cent and 12.1 per cent, respectively, of Türkiye’s electricity generation as of July. Solar’s share increased 28-fold from 0.4 per cent in 2016, while wind’s share more than doubled from 5.7 per cent.

Installed capacity has also grown significantly. Türkiye’s total electricity generation capacity reached 126,476 megawatts (MW) at the end of July, with solar accounting for 27,507 MW, or 21.7 per cent, and wind for 15,358 MW, or 12.1 per cent.

Combined solar and wind capacity stood at 42,865 MW, representing 33.8 per cent of the country’s total installed electricity capacity.

Solar generation also reached a new monthly record in July, producing 5.37 billion kilowatt-hours, surpassing the previous record set in June.

Bayraktar said Türkiye now ranks fifth in Europe and 11th globally in renewable-energy installed capacity and investment.

The government has emphasised continued expansion of renewable generation to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels while supporting its longer-term climate and energy-security objectives. -OGN/TradeArabia News Service