- Turkiye saw a record surge in solar power capacity in April, increasing by 1.3 gigawatts.
- Changes in regulations allowed facilities to double their capacity, driving the expansion.
In April, Turkiye witnessed a remarkable surge in installed solar power capacity. It reached a record increase of around 1.3 gigawatts compared to the previous month.
By the end of April, the country’s solar power capacity had soared to 13.9 gigawatts. According to data from the Turkish Electricity Transmission Corporation (TEIAŞ) compiled by Anadolu Agency (AA).
Turkiye is increasingly focusing on renewable energy sources, aligning with its goal of reducing energy dependency and achieving net zero emissions in the energy sector. Hakan Erkan, secretary general of the Solar Energy Industrialists and Industry Association (GENSED), attributed this surge to changes in the Unlicensed Electricity Generation Regulation.
Erkan highlighted amendments made by the Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EMRA) in August 2022. Which simplified consumers’ process of using solar energy for self-consumption, boosting investment in renewables.
Facilities can now install double their capacity, accelerating installations. The increase in solar power capacity is mainly due to the commissioning of unlicensed power plants.
Turkiye aims to transition its industrial sector to operate without emitting carbon emissions, with many companies turning to renewable sources to meet their electricity needs. Erkan emphasised that this transition is vital for export companies as they rush to install solar power plants before January 1, 2026.
With the European Commission’s ambitious goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, Erkan believes there’s potential for further increases in solar power capacity in the coming years.
Turkiye, traditionally reliant on energy imports, has seen a significant shift in its energy landscape. Thanks to the increased deployment of clean power sources, overall power generation has risen, and coal generation has decreased.