The report “Türkiye Electricity Review 2026” published by EMBER summarises that in Türkiye, electricity generation has shifted rapidly over the past three years, marked by accelerated growth in solar energy and record wind installations in 2025. Wind and solar combined generated 22% of electricity, helping to limit the pressure on natural gas imports caused by drought-driven declines in hydroelectric generation. However, coal remains the largest source of electricity generation at 34%, with two-thirds of this production relying on imports. While Türkiye still lags behind many European countries in renewable energy share, it stands out with its expanding battery project pipeline.
Key takeaways from the report are:
-Solar installations reached a record 4.8 GW in 2023, and new installations have remained close to this level over the past two years. As a result, solar electricity generation has doubled in the last two years. Wind capacity additions hit a record 1.9 GW in 2025. However, combined wind and solar additions of 6.5 GW still fall short of the 8 GW required annually to meet the 2035 target.
-Driven by record installation over the past three years solar generated 11% of electricity, nearly matching wind generation. Together, wind and solar now account for 22%. However, when compared with Europe’s 24 highest electricity generating countries, Türkiye ranks 15th for wind, 14th for solar, and 16th for renewable energy. By contrast, Türkiye is by far the leader compared to countries in the Middle East, Caucasus, and Central Asia.
-Data from the past 30 years shows that drought has caused a persistent decline in hydroelectric generation in Türkiye. The average electricity production of the country’s three largest dams — Atatürk, Karakaya, and Keban — was 29% lower over the past decade than in 1996–2005. This shortfall has been compensated by gas generation, increasing reliance on energy imports. As a result, drought leads to an average annual increase of $1.8 billion in fossil gas imports, rising further during energy crises and drier years. Supporting hydroelectric plants with hybrid solar installations is therefore crucial for supply security.
-In 2025, coal accounted for 34% of electricity generation, with about two-thirds supplied by imports. No new coal plants have been commissioned since 2022, and none are under construction. As a result, growth in coal generation has slowed. After reaching a record 122 TWh in 2024, it declined slightly to 121 TWh in 2025. However, a purchase guarantee for domestic coal plants starting in 2026 may increase their utilisation rates and lead to a new record in coal generation.
-Since 2022, new wind and solar plants with storage must install battery capacity that equals their installed capacity. The total allocated battery capacity for these projects has reached 33 GW. In comparison, EU countries with the largest battery capacity, including both operational capacity and project pipelines, have around 12-13 GW, less than half of Türkiye’s. Türkiye’s battery project pipeline corresponds to 83% of its current wind and solar capacity (40 GW).
Access the report here