The Empirical Analysis of the Relationship Between Energy Imports and Renewable Energy in Turkey

Abstract

Energy demand has increased rapidly depending on the economic development levels of the countries. Countries with insufficient energy resources have meet this need with energy imports. Growth in energy imports increases the country's energy dependency. Outward industrialization policy decisions on the economy, on January 24 1980 in Turkey were made. Thus, with the acceleration of economic activities, the import of fossil energy resources such as oil, natural gas and coal increased rapidly. This has led to an increase in Turkey's energy dependence. Turkey is turning to alternative energy sources to reduce energy dependence and expanding investments and production for renewable energy. In this study, effects of increase in investment in renewabe energy resources on energy Imports and dependency were discussed. It is concluded that the increase in renewable energy investments and production reduces energy imports and dependency.