Turkish Wind Energy Association (TÜREB) Chairman Ibrahim Erden made assessments within the scope of the 13th Turkish Wind Energy Congress (TÜREK 2024) organized by TÜREB this year under the theme of “Future Energy, Turkey’s Future”.
Pointing out that the World Bank and the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources have pursued important studies on offshore wind energy in Turkey in the past, he stated that this year, with the guidance and requests of the Ministry, areas with potential have been identified and presented.
Stating that the offshore wind energy potential in Turkey is very high starting from Thrace and continuing to Marmara, the Aegean and the Mediterranean, Erden said: “The studies have started in Marmara with the World Bank. The first engineering studies and measurements will start with certain funds provided by the World Bank. “The World Bank will continue its engineering and measurement studies regarding the potential studies in our seas in Marmara and beyond in cooperation with our Ministry of Energy. Higher wind targets mean increased use of domestic industry and more investment.”
Noting that Turkey is the sixth largest country in Europe in terms of installed capacity and the fifth largest in terms of wind energy industry size, Erden stressed that this potential can be achieved even further.
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Erden stressed that wind-related investments should be made in Turkey first, saying: “When you make these investments in your country, you will produce for yourself first and then reach the point where you can export.”
Reminding that Turkey has achieved this in the past 15 years, Erden said: “From now on, with the strategy announced by our minister, this actually means higher wind energy targets, greater use of domestic industry, more investment and reaching a more important position.”
Erden stressed that the 2035 Renewable Energy Strategy, announced by Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar on October 21, set very big and bold targets, saying: “Within the framework of the statement, our Energy Ministry increased the previously announced target of 83,000 megawatts by 50 percent to 120,000 megawatts.”
Noting that the sector has certain expectations regarding wind energy investments in this direction, Erden said: “We expect to complete the necessary permitting procedures as soon as possible to make the investments. The relevant public institutions in our state are supporting these processes in an accelerated manner.”
