Turkey’s General Directorate of Highways is building its third solar plant and developing three more, all part of a broader plan to expand these installations nationwide. Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu has highlighted the initiative’s cost savings and environmental benefits, citing the strong performance of existing facilities.
Turkey Expands Solar Power Initiative
Building on the success of its first two solar power plants, Turkey’s General Directorate of Highways is setting up its third facility and is already working on three more. Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu confirmed plans to expand these solar installations across the country, noting the significant savings achieved since the General Directorate of Highways (KGM) launched its first photovoltaic plant in 2017. Uraloğlu emphasized that these facilities are both environmentally friendly and cost-efficient, helping to reduce the country’s reliance on energy imports.
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The Çeşme solar power plant, which has a peak capacity of 1.05 MW and a 990 kW grid connection, has already made a significant financial impact. Uraloğlu noted that this first plant, located near Izmir, has contributed TRY 43.4 million (EUR 1.21 million) to date. A notable feature is the 100 kW of capacity installed on canopies above a parking area. According to KGM, the plant’s total annual output is 1.5 GWh.
This initiative aligns with broader national goals. Turkey’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Alparslan Bayraktar, outlined new targets in the renewable energy sector, announcing an initial goal to add at least 5,000 megawatts (MW) of solar and wind capacity annually.
He also mentioned that areas on dams will be assessed under a new floating solar power plant (GES) regulation passed by Parliament. “We will establish a clear target for the next 10 years,” he added.
Solar Facilities: Aligning with Goal 2035
Speaking at the World Bank Energy Transformation Workshop, Minister Alparslan Bayraktar called a healthy energy transformation essential to achieving the 2053 carbon neutrality target. He stressed that this shift must be guided by sensitive, rational, and flexible policy frameworks, highlighting the critical role of renewable energy.
The Minister pointed out that Turkey already ranks 11th globally and 5th in Europe for installed renewable energy capacity. “We have a very ambitious renewable development program,” he said. “Turkey must add 5,000 MW of solar and wind capacity to its installed renewable energy capacity every year. We have planned this until 2035.” Bayraktar also noted a target of 5,000 MW for the first phase of offshore wind projects.
To meet these goals, the Minister stressed the need for grid investments. “We have an investment target of approximately 10 billion US dollars over 10 years to expand our transmission system and undertake new and comprehensive investments to meet the increasing demand,” he pointed out.
Bayraktar also underscored the importance of efficiency in the energy transformation, aiming for 16 percent energy savings with a 20 billion US dollar investment as part of the 2030 Energy Strategy. This initiative is expected to prevent approximately 100 million tons of carbon emissions.
Government Support and International Cooperation
With new projects on the horizon, Turkey is poised to build on this success and further expand its solar capacity. The focus on floating solar power plants represents an innovative approach to maximizing the country’s solar potential. These installations can reduce land use conflicts and utilize existing water bodies, offering an efficient way to increase solar energy output.
International cooperation is also vital to Turkey’s renewable energy expansion. Partnerships with organizations like the World Bank help facilitate knowledge exchange and provide financial support for large-scale projects. These collaborations are essential for overcoming the technical and financial challenges associated with renewable energy development.
As Turkey continues to invest in renewable energy, it sets an example for other countries to follow. The successes achieved so far are just the beginning, with much more potential to unlock in the years ahead. The ongoing efforts to enhance energy efficiency, expand solar and wind capacity, and develop new technologies will ensure that Turkey remains at the forefront of the global renewable energy movement.
