Türkiye’s wind energy capacity surpasses 13,000 MW, powering 5 million households

Türkiye’s wind energy capacity has reached 13,043 megawatts (MW) as of Feb. 13, with approximately 280 wind power plants and more than 4,360 turbines operating across the country’s seven regions.

13,043 MW of wind power can meet the electricity demand of approximately 5 million households, contributing substantially to energy security and reducing dependence on fossil fuel imports.

According to data compiled by Anadolu Agency from the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources and the Turkish Wind Energy Association, the share of wind energy in Türkiye’s daily electricity production has climbed to around 14% in recent years.

Wind energy’s growing role in the national energy mix also supports Türkiye’s efforts to combat climate change by reducing carbon emissions, with projections indicating further growth as multiple new projects are expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Efforts to boost renewable energy capacity growth

At the beginning of this month, Türkiye held the Renewable Energy Resource Area Wind Energy (YEKA RES 2024) tenders, allocating a total of 1,200 MW of connection capacity across five YEKA sites in three provinces.

The YEKA initiative aims to boost the share of renewable energy in electricity production while reducing the cost of electricity from power plants. Additionally, the program supports the development of domestic production capabilities in renewable energy technologies and the growth of a skilled workforce in the sector.

The YEKA tenders serve as a crucial mechanism for attracting investments into renewable energy, fostering local industry development, and ensuring a sustainable energy future for Türkiye. By designating specific resource areas and offering long-term power purchase agreements, the Turkish government aimed to provide stability and confidence for investors.

As of last year, the economic value of Türkiye’s wind power equipment manufacturing reached $2.2 billion, with forecasts suggesting the potential to grow to $10 billion with continued investments. Wind energy production facilities across the country include seven tower manufacturing plants, four-blade factories, and four generators and gearbox plants, alongside hundreds of other industry players.

Türkiye is actively pursuing its renewable energy targets, aiming to increase its installed renewable electricity capacity from 33,000 MW to 120,000 MW by 2035, according to the 2035 Renewable Energy Roadmap.