Türkiye's transition to renewable energy continues at full speed. According to the latest data released by the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, the country's total wind and solar-based installed capacity crossed a historic milestone in the first quarter of 2026, exceeding 40,000 megawatts (40 GW).
The massive surge in solar energy capacity stands out in particular. According to recent reports, solar installed capacity reached 26,339 MW, while total renewable installed capacity climbed to 77,601 MW. This represents approximately 62.1% of Türkiye's total power grid capacity.
Steady Progress Towards 2035 Strategic Targets
Türkiye's national energy strategy aims to increase the combined wind and solar capacity to 120 GW by 2035. In line with this objective, the government plans to tender at least 2,000 MW of new capacity annually through the Renewable Energy Resource Area (YEKA) scheme. Industry leaders anticipate about $80 billion in new investments to flow into the country to achieve this decarbonization goal.
"Renewable energy is no longer just an environmental preference, but the most critical cornerstone of our energy independence and economic security."
Grid Integration and Battery Energy Storage
Along with capacity expansion, investments in battery energy storage systems have accelerated to ensure grid stability. The project pipeline for storage-connected power plants in Türkiye has reached 33 GW, making it one of the largest grid integration schemes in Europe. These facilities will guarantee that intermittent power from wind and solar can be delivered to the grid reliably and continuously.
