Accra:Over the past decade, Türkiye's energy system has experienced a significant transformation, with a rapid expansion in wind and solar energy and a decline in new coal power projects.

According to Anadolu Agency – English, Türkiye's coal pipeline in 2014 was among the largest globally, surpassed only by China and India. Since then, most of these coal projects have been shelved or canceled, with only a few remaining proposals. In contrast, renewables have surged, now making up a third of the country's installed generating capacity. The government plans to triple this capacity to 120 gigawatts by 2035.

The shift towards renewable energy has already begun to pay off. The Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources estimates that the growth in wind and solar power has displaced fossil fuel imports worth $21.5 billion between 2015 and 2025. Türkiye is emerging as a global leader in battery storage paired with renewables, which helps integrate more clean energy into the grid while maintaining reliability.

However, domestic coal still presents challenges. Although seen as a way to reduce dependence on imports, the lower-grade lignite and asphaltite coal used domestically leads to higher pollution and frequent plant outages. Despite this, renewable energy investment, particularly in regions reliant on coal, could create significant employment opportunities.

Türkiye's energy transition is also influenced by changes in the European market. The EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, which started in January, impacts imports based on their carbon emissions. As a leading source of such imports, Türkiye has an economic incentive to reduce emissions in its industry and electricity sector.

Continuing to accelerate renewable energy development and moving away from coal could further enhance Türkiye's energy security and economic competitiveness, while also serving as a model for other countries aiming to reduce fossil fuel dependency.