As of the end of June, Turkey’s total installed capacity reached 104,800 Megawatts (MW), with solar energy accounting for 10,195 MW. Turkey is among the fastest-growing countries in the solar energy sector in Europe, with solar energy holding a 10% share in the country’s installed capacity. The goal is to increase the solar energy capacity to 52,300 MW by the year 2035.
Mehmet Doğan, a board member of the Energy Industrialists and Business People Association (ENSİA) and the General Manager of HSA Energy, highlighted the importance of establishing licensed solar power plants (GES) in areas far from city centers and lands that have completely lost their agricultural characteristics. He emphasized that energy production and food security are not alternatives to each other.
Doğan pointed out that rooftop solar installations in Turkey are currently well below their potential. He said, “As of June, our country has surpassed the psychological threshold of 10,000 MW in solar energy, and we should applaud this significant achievement. However, we must acknowledge that we still have a long way to go. The potential electricity production from rooftop solar installations alone is at the level of 55,000 MW, which is more than five times the capacity of all the solar plants built so far. We have much untapped potential in our rooftops. Our priority should definitely be rooftop solar installations. All obstacles preventing citizens with the means and capacity from becoming energy producers should be removed. Licensed solar power plants, on the other hand, should be built in areas far from residential areas and lands that have completely lost their agricultural characteristics. It is disheartening to see many power plants built in forested areas and lands used for agriculture. Additionally, we must utilize solar energy in specially designed greenhouses to prevent water waste in agricultural production.”
Mehmet Doğan stressed that solar energy has the highest potential among renewable energy sources in Turkey. According to the National Action Plan, the target is to achieve a total installed capacity of 189,700 MW by 2035, with solar energy accounting for 52,900 MW.
He further stated, “In the next 12 years, investments in solar energy will be more than five times greater than what has been done until now. By 2030, 50% of global electricity demand will be met by renewable energy sources, with solar energy making the most significant contribution. The solar energy capacity will increase by approximately 280 GW annually until 2030, with an average annual growth rate of about 12%. Turkey is preparing for this significant shift in energy with increasing investments in wind energy in recent years. Among our members, there are very strong companies making investments in this field. The least efficient solar region in Turkey has a higher potential than the most efficient region in Germany. While we are just starting to surpass 10,000 MW in solar energy, Germany, with its less efficient solar resources, generates 70,000 MW, which is seven times more than us. In solar energy alone, our potential installed capacity is over 200,000 MW. If we fully utilize this potential, we can generate enough energy to power two Turkeys. Our priority in solar investments should always be rooftop solar installations. The more citizens we attract to become energy producers, the more we will reduce our dependency on foreign energy sources and boost our development.”
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