‘Atlantic Council Regional Conference on Clean & Secure Energy’ in Istanbul

The Atlantic Council’s Regional Conference on Clean and Secure Energy is currently underway in Istanbul, gathering business leaders and senior government officials from the region. Spanning two days, the conference aims to enhance energy security in the region and promote collaboration through energy transformation and clean energy projects. Participants will engage with transatlantic partners from Europe and the United States, discussing global transitions to clean energy and strategies for cooperation.

Key topics on the agenda include not only energy but also trade and development projects, regional security and geopolitical issues concerning Ukraine and the Middle East, and the impact of the U.S. elections on global energy policies. The conference is expected to highlight the region’s role in energy transformation ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) scheduled to take place in Azerbaijan in November.

In his remarks, Atlantic Council President and CEO Frederick Kempe emphasized the critical role of Türkiye and its neighboring countries in clean energy. He stated, “In this period when Russia has illegally invaded Ukraine, it is vital for partners and allies to enhance collaboration in energy, as working together is essential for sustaining and developing clean and secure energy.”

Notable attendees at the conference include Türkiye’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Alparslan Bayraktar; U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources, Geoffrey R. Pyatt; U.S. Eximbank President Reta Jo Lewis; Iraq’s Kurdish Regional Government Minister of Electricity and Acting Minister of Natural Resources, Kamal Mohammad Salih Khalil; North Macedonia’s Minister of Energy, Mining, and Mineral Resources, Sanja Bozinovska; Türkiye’s Deputy Foreign Minister Berris Ekinci; and the European Commission’s Deputy Director-General for Energy, Matthew Baldwin. Atlantic Council Board Member A. Mucahid Oren is also participating in the event.

Kempe: ‘We must acknowledge China’s leadership in renewable energy’

In a related session, Frederick Kempe pointed out that the United States needs to recognize China’s leading position in renewable energy, calling for further advancements in this area. During the first day of the conference, sessions focused on renewable energy resources, regional cooperation, the impact of U.S. elections on climate dialogue and energy landscapes, supply chains, critical minerals, and the relationship between trade and energy.

Kempe emphasized the importance of addressing the competition between the U.S. and China in the renewable energy market, particularly in solar energy and battery production. He underscored the need for the U.S. to progress further in renewable energy, highlighting that artificial intelligence is currently the leading area for U.S. advancements.

He noted that critical minerals used in batteries are another vital topic in clean energy, stressing the importance of the U.S. improving its capabilities in this sector. He predicted that supply chains will change, necessitating further progress in clean energy.

Minister Bayraktar: ‘Türkiye committed to energy transformation’

Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar also spoke at the Atlantic Council conference, outlining Türkiye’s multi-dimensional energy transformation strategy. He highlighted the need to integrate nuclear energy into the energy portfolio and expressed the commitment to achieving a sustainable energy future.

Bayraktar noted that Türkiye’s energy demand has tripled over the past 20 years, with expectations for continued growth due to urbanization and an increasing population. He stated, “We need to meet this rising demand and ensure that energy is affordable for our citizens.”

Bayraktar detailed Türkiye’s focus areas for energy transformation, which include renewable energy, energy efficiency, nuclear energy, natural gas as a transitional fuel, and minerals essential for energy transformation. He announced ambitious plans for the next 12 years, aiming to increase solar and wind installed capacity from the current 30,000 megawatts to 90,000 megawatts by 2035.

He also discussed ongoing projects in nuclear energy, specifically the construction of four nuclear reactors at the Akkuyu site, which he described as the world’s largest nuclear energy construction site. The first reactor is expected to generate carbon-free electricity by 2025, contributing to Türkiye’s goal of achieving a total nuclear energy capacity of 20,000 megawatts by 2050.

Bayraktar concluded by emphasizing the importance of natural gas for integrating renewable energy and ensuring cleaner air in cities, stating, “With over 50 billion cubic meters of consumption, we are the fourth-largest natural gas market in Europe.”

This comprehensive news article encapsulates the key messages and highlights from the Atlantic Council’s Regional Conference on Clean and Secure Energy, emphasizing the collaborative efforts towards energy security, the recognition of renewable energy leadership, and Türkiye’s commitment to energy transformation.