BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 30. Türkiye’s renewable energy targets for 2030 are falling short of the country’s clean energy potential, according to a new analysis from Ember, a UK-based energy think tank, Trend reports.
The country’s current Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targets emissions 25% higher than the levels recorded in 2022. These targets do not account for the new goals that aim to expand Türkiye’s wind and solar capacity from 32 GW to 120 GW by 2035.
Recent developments in solar energy indicate that Türkiye has already surpassed its 2025 target, while wind energy growth could also be accelerated with more substantial annual installations. However, Türkiye’s current renewable energy targets for 2025 and 2030 are not aligned with the country’s electricity demand, which has grown at an average annual rate of 2.8% over the past decade and is expected to rise by 3.5% annually through 2035.
To meet this increasing demand sustainably, Türkiye will need to add at least 5 GW of solar and 2 GW of wind capacity annually between 2025 and 2035. The current targets set in the National Energy Plan (NEP) and NDC are insufficient for this scale of growth.
Ember calls for an update to Türkiye’s renewable energy targets to align with the country’s ambitious 2035 goals. The 2035 targets represent a 45% increase over the NEP, signaling a strong commitment to renewable energy. However, without additional interim milestones, it will be difficult to track progress.
By updating its NDC to incorporate these revised goals, Türkiye would ensure its renewable energy growth is in line with global climate objectives. This adjustment would also strengthen Türkiye’s position as a key player in the global clean energy transition, particularly as it prepares to host COP31.
