Türkiye Hits 62% Renewable Energy in Clean Power Push

Türkiye started 2026 with a clean energy milestone that signals something bigger than one good day of wind power.

The country just hit a record high for daily wind energy generation, capping off a transformation that now sees 62% of its total electricity capacity coming from renewable sources. That's not a lucky break or seasonal blip—it's the result of 15 years of deliberate planning and investment.

"Türkiye is fundamentally reshaping its energy portfolio," says Ozlem Erol, an environmental engineer on Istanbul's Metropolitan Municipality Council. The country now exceeds both European and global averages for renewable capacity and per capita clean energy production.

The numbers tell the story of serious commitment. By the end of 2025, Türkiye's total power capacity exceeded 121,000 megawatts, with 75,000 megawatts coming from clean sources like hydropower, wind, solar, and geothermal. Solar capacity crossed 24,000 megawatts while wind surpassed 14,000 megawatts.

But here's what makes this different from many clean energy stories: Türkiye isn't just installing panels and turbines made elsewhere. The country now manufactures over 90% of its renewable technology domestically, with solar production nearly at 100%.

"We are not merely producing electricity," Erol explains. "By combining the power of the wind with advanced technology, we are turning Türkiye into Europe's clean energy hub."

The country is already one of Europe's leading suppliers of wind turbine towers, blades, and generators. Local content in wind projects exceeds 70%, creating jobs and technical expertise that stay in the country.

The strategy goes beyond what's already built. The government commits to launching at least 2,000 megawatts of new wind tenders every year, giving investors long-term certainty. Türkiye has set a 2035 target of 5,000 megawatts for offshore wind installations, with sites identified along its coasts.

Energy storage is getting serious attention too. The Ministry plans to add 7.5 gigawatts of battery capacity by 2035 to handle the intermittency of wind and solar, strengthening grid security and flexibility.

The Ripple Effect

Oguzhan Akyener, president of Türkiye's Energy Strategies & Politics Research Centre, points to the economic and security benefits radiating from this transition. President Erdogan frames the clean energy push as a matter of national security—a path to "full energy independence" that reduces reliance on imported fuel.

The industrial development creates opportunities beyond electricity generation. As Türkiye develops next-generation wind technologies and offshore capabilities, it's building expertise that could serve markets across Europe and beyond.

The clean energy transformation supports Türkiye's 2053 net zero emissions target while addressing immediate economic needs. Manufacturing renewable technology locally means money and knowledge stay within the country's borders, creating a foundation for sustained growth.

A decade and a half of consistent policy is now delivering results that position Türkiye as both a clean energy producer and a technology developer for the future.