Türkiye leads Europe in clean energy, says IEA President

The President of the International Energy Agency (IEA), Fatih Birol, has commended Türkiye’s clean energy initiatives, highlighting the nation’s exceptional potential in renewable energy production.

In an interview with the Anadolu Agency, Birol discussed Türkiye’s recently unveiled Renewable Energy 2035 Roadmap, introduced by Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar last month.

“Türkiye is one of the leading countries in this regard in Europe,” Birol stated, emphasizing the strategic importance of the roadmap.

2025 to ‘trade wars’ over energy technologies

Birol raised concerns about the intensifying global competition stemming from the rapid expansion of clean energy technologies, which have become pivotal to the global economy. He pointed out that 2025 could usher in a new era of “global trade wars” as countries strive to secure a powerful position in emerging energy technologies.

In discussing the shift towards increased domestic production of clean energy technologies, such as solar panels, batteries, and electric vehicles, Birol noted that many developed nations are turning to trade regulations and tariffs to shield local markets from lower-cost imports.

He warned that while these measures are intended to bolster renewable energy sectors, they could also incite significant trade disputes, potentially impacting the global economy if left unchecked.

Türkiye’s Renewable Energy 2035 Roadmap aims to quadruple the country’s installed solar and wind energy capacity from approximately 30,000 megawatts to 120,000 megawatts by 2035.

This ambitious initiative reflects Türkiye’s dedication to expanding its clean energy infrastructure and achieving its renewable energy goals.