Current Status of Renewable Energy in Türkiye

Abstract

The usage of renewable energy has an increasing trend to replace fossil fuel or other forms of energy that damage the environment in the last decades. Many countries have been realized the need for clean energy to reduce the greenhouse effect and carbon emissions. Turkey signed the Paris Agreement in 2016 and ratified in 2021, and set net zero carbon target by 2053. The objective of the Paris Agreement is to limit global warming to 1,5-2 degrees Celsius compared to preindustrial levels. However, the high demand for energy for industry or high installation fees of renewable energy can be limiting factors for developing countries like Turkey. Turkey is rich in terms of renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower, and biomass. Even though Turkey is considered having one of the highest hydropower, wind, and geothermal energy potential among the European countries, the installed capacity is much lower compared to its potential. The current status of renewable energy sources and renewable energy potential of Turkey are evaluated in this review study.