Antalya: Trkiye and Saudi Arabia have announced plans to expand their renewable energy cooperation, signing an agreement for an additional 3,000 megawatts, which will elevate the total planned renewable energy capacity in Trkiye to 5,000 megawatts. This development was confirmed by Trkiye’s Energy and Natural Resources Minister, Alparslan Bayraktar, highlighting the new agreement made during the UN Climate Conference.
According to Anadolu Agency, Minister Bayraktar emphasized that an earlier agreement between the two countries had already set the groundwork for 2,000 MW of renewable energy projects. This new agreement significantly enhances their collaborative efforts. Bayraktar also detailed Trkiye’s substantial advancements in energy and mining over the last quarter-century, noting that the country has increased its installed electricity capacity from 32,000 megawatts to 126,000 megawatts under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s leadership.
Bayraktar stated that Trkiye now ranks third in Europe for installed electricity capacity, electricity generation, and consumption, following France and Germany. He noted significant growth in oil and natural gas production, as well as mineral exports, and emphasized energy independence as a key goal within Trkiye’s ‘Century of Trkiye’ vision.
Additionally, Bayraktar reported that natural gas, once limited to five provinces in 2002, now reaches all 81 provinces in Trkiye. He projected a doubling of domestic natural gas production in the Black Sea this year, with expectations to quadruple output by 2028. Trkiye aims to meet the natural gas needs of 17 million households with domestic production by then.
In southeastern Trkiye, oil production at the Gabar field has surpassed 83,000 barrels per day. Bayraktar highlighted the economic and employment benefits following the removal of terrorism from the region, and discussed ongoing exploration of unconventional oil resources in Diyarbakir, which could substantially increase production.
Discussing regional energy security amid uncertainty in the Strait of Hormuz, Bayraktar suggested that the situation could prompt diversification of energy routes. He mentioned discussions with Iraqi officials about transporting Iraqi oil through Trkiye, potential routes for Qatari gas, and the possibility of Kuwaiti oil reaching the country.
Trkiye is also pursuing energy projects in Pakistan, with plans for the Oruc Reis seismic research vessel to visit later this year. Bayraktar intends to visit Pakistan soon to explore further mining project partnerships.