Turkey's Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar has unveiled the National Energy Plan 2040, outlining a strategy to transition away from coal and fossil fuels toward cleaner energy sources. This initiative aims to electrify the country's energy consumption and reduce emissions by 40% by 2040, in line with its commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2053.
The plan calls for a substantial increase in solar and wind energy generation, which is projected to more than quadruple over the next 13 years, reaching 36% of the country's electricity output by 2040. As an example of this shift, the number of electric cars on Turkish roads is expected to surge from approximately 500,000 to 20 million within the same timeframe.
This "paradigm shift" in energy use will necessitate significant investment, estimated at $500 billion over the next 13 years. Approximately $210 billion is expected from Turkish public sector companies, with the remainder sought from foreign investment. Bayraktar emphasized the need for global financial responsibility in combating climate change, stating, "If the world is serious about carbon neutrality and if we would like to fund (fighting) climate change and global warming, we need to find the money."
The minister also addressed the importance of a "just transition" for communities reliant on coal mining and power stations for employment, noting that these sectors provide jobs for 30,000 to 40,000 people. He acknowledged the difficulty in retraining miners for roles in high-tech industries.
Despite the push for renewables, Turkey plans to continue utilizing natural gas, with production from Black Sea reserves expected to double in the coming years. The nation is also advancing its nuclear energy program, with the Akkuyu plant nearing operation and plans for a second nuclear station. These developments are part of an ambitious goal for Turkey to achieve energy independence by 2040.
Bayraktar made these announcements as Turkey prepares to host the COP31 climate change summit in Antalya. He acknowledged that global energy markets face turbulent times, exacerbated by conflicts and sanctions, making the fight against global warming more challenging. Current climate targets and policies in Turkey are considered "critically insufficient" by Climate Action Tracker, which monitors countries' progress against the Paris Agreement goals.