Turkey and Saudi Arabia Team Up for 5GW Clean Energy Deal

Two nations are joining forces to power the future with sunshine and wind instead of fossil fuels.

Turkey and Saudi Arabia have signed an agreement to develop 5GW of renewable energy projects across Turkey, with Saudi Arabian companies funding and building the infrastructure. The partnership kicks off with an ambitious first phase: 2GW of solar power plants in Turkey's Sivas and Karaman provinces.

Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar announced the deal will bring nearly $2 billion in foreign investment to the country's energy sector. International financial institutions are also stepping up with loans to help finance the massive buildout.

The solar plants will sell electricity at competitive rates, with prices set at just under 2 cents per kilowatt-hour in Karaman and slightly higher in Sivas. That's affordable, clean energy that will power homes and businesses for decades to come.

Here's what makes this deal even better: half the equipment used in these solar farms must come from Turkish manufacturers. This requirement will create manufacturing jobs and help grow Turkey's domestic solar industry, which recently attracted $2.5 billion in investments from both Turkish companies and international solar manufacturers.

The Ripple Effect

This partnership arrives at the perfect moment for Turkey's clean energy transformation. The country added an impressive 4.5GW of solar power in 2025 alone and now operates nearly 25GW of solar capacity total.

The new 5GW agreement pushes Turkey significantly closer to its goal of reaching 120GW of combined solar and wind capacity by 2035. That target would transform Turkey into one of the region's clean energy powerhouses while slashing carbon emissions and creating energy independence.

Beyond the numbers, this deal shows how international cooperation can accelerate the global shift away from fossil fuels. Saudi Arabia, traditionally known for oil production, is now investing billions in renewable energy projects abroad, signaling confidence in clean energy's economic future.

The agreement also demonstrates that developing nations don't have to choose between economic growth and environmental responsibility. Turkey gets jobs, energy security, and cleaner air, all while attracting major foreign investment that strengthens its economy.

When construction begins in Sivas and Karaman, thousands of workers will build solar farms that could power these regions for 30 years or more, proving that today's bold partnerships create tomorrow's lasting progress.