Turkey witnessed a remarkable increase in its installed solar power capacity during April, achieving a record surge of approximately 1.3 gigawatts (GW) compared to the previous month, as reported on Sunday.
According to data compiled by Anadolu Agency (AA) from the Turkish Electricity Transmission Corporation (TEIAŞ), the country’s solar power capacity reached 13.9 gigawatts by the end of April, reflecting a significant uptick from the previous month.
Turkey has been intensifying its focus on renewable energy sources in recent years, aligning with its objectives of reducing energy dependency and striving for net zero emissions in the energy sector.
Hakan Erkan, the secretary general of the Solar Energy Industrialists and Industry Association (GENSED), emphasized the role of changes in the Unlicensed Electricity Generation Regulation in driving this surge. Under the previous regulation, facilities for unlicensed electricity generation and consumption were required to be within the same distribution license area. However, this restriction has since been lifted, allowing specified facilities to sell surplus output.
Erkan highlighted important amendments to the regulation announced by Turkey’s Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EMRA) in August 2022, which simplified the process for consumers to harness solar energy for self-consumption and stimulated increased investment in the renewables sector. He attributed the surge in solar power capacity to the commissioning of unlicensed power plants, facilitated by the regulatory changes.
Moreover, Erkan pointed out Turkey’s commitment to the European Union’s “Green Deal” program, aiming for its industrial sector to operate without emitting or neutralizing carbon emissions while producing. He noted that companies engaged in exports are increasingly turning to renewable sources to meet their electricity needs, with many installing unlicensed solar power plants ahead of the deadline set for January 1, 2026.
Anticipating further growth, Erkan emphasized the potential for new record increases in solar power capacity in the coming years, driven by investor interest and the ongoing expansion of high-capacity power plants. He expressed confidence in Turkey’s ability to meet ambitious targets set by the energy minister, aiming to commission 3.5 gigawatts of solar and 1.5 gigawatts of wind power plants annually.
Turkey’s energy landscape has undergone significant transformation in recent years, with a notable increase in clean power deployment from wind, solar, geothermal, and hydro installations. The country’s commitment to renewables is underscored by its achievement of 42% renewable electricity generation in 2023, surpassing the global average, as highlighted in a recent report by London-based think tank Ember.