Ameer Randolph
Turkey's energy production methods are highly dependent on fossil fuels, with over 85% of its primary energy supply in 2019 derived from oil, coal, and natural gas. This reliance on fossil fuels has significant environmental impacts, contributing to air pollution and above-average greenhouse gas emissions. Turkey's energy policies aim to reduce fossil fuel imports and increase renewable energy sources, but progress has been slow. The country's economic development and international posture are influenced by its energy dependence, with fossil fuel imports impacting its economic and geopolitical orientation. Turkey has diversified its energy market, including the development of nuclear power plants, but as of 2024, it still relies on fossil fuels for 55% of its electricity.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Energy consumption per person | Similar to the world average |
| Share of fossil fuels in primary energy supply in 2022 | 81.3% |
| Share of fossil fuels in primary energy supply in 2019 | 85% |
| Share of fossil fuels in primary energy supply in 2024 | 55% |
| Fossil fuels used in 2019 | Oil (30%), Coal (30%), Gas (25%) |
| Fossil fuels used in 2022 | Oil, Natural Gas, Coal |
| Fossil fuel imports in 2019 | 75% of the current account deficit, 20% of total imports |
| Fossil fuel imports cost in 2019 | $41 billion |
| Fossil fuel subsidies in the 21st century | 0.2% of GDP |
| Fossil fuel subsidies between Jan 2020 and Sep 2021 | $14 billion |
| Energy dependency | 75% |
| Energy intensity target between 2011 and 2023 | Reduce by 20% |
| Energy intensity outcome between 2005 and 2015 | Increased by 7% |
| Energy efficiency | Below OECD average |
| Energy policy | Reduce fossil fuel imports, increase renewable sources |
| Nuclear power plants | Akkuyu, Sinop |
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What You'll Learn
Turkey's energy dependence problem
Turkey has an energy dependence problem. Ankara's energy needs have been on the rise for the past two decades and are projected to continue rising until at least 2035. However, Turkey does not have the natural resources to meet its energy needs, so it imports almost all of its energy. In 2019, Turkey imported 99% of its natural gas and 93% of its petroleum. Turkey's energy imports include half of its coal and almost all of its oil and gas. This reliance on energy imports creates economic and security issues for the country.
Turkey's energy imports have a significant impact on its economy. In 2019, fossil fuel imports cost Turkey $41 billion, accounting for about a fifth of its total import bill. They also represented a large part of the country's debt problems and current account deficit. Turkey's reliance on imported fossil fuels also leaves its economy vulnerable to fluctuations in oil and gas prices.
Turkey's energy policy aims to secure a national energy supply and reduce fossil fuel imports. The country has taken steps to diversify its energy sources, such as building new gas pipelines and regasification plants. Turkey has also invested in renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar, and geothermal power. In 2019, Turkey's energy supply included 20% electricity generated mainly from coal, gas, and hydroelectricity, with a growing contribution from wind, solar, and geothermal sources.
Despite these efforts, Turkey's energy intensity, or the energy required to produce ₺1 (Turkish lira) of GDP, has increased in recent years. The country has also been criticised for its lack of carbon pricing and fossil fuel subsidies, which are estimated to cost over $1,000 per person per year when including the unpaid damages of air pollution.
To address its energy dependence problem, Turkey is pursuing additional strategies. The country has begun developing nuclear power plants, with the Akkuyu nuclear power plant being a notable example. Turkey has also diversified its fossil fuel suppliers, reducing its dependence on Russia by increasing gas imports from Azerbaijan.
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Fossil fuel imports
Turkey's energy consumption per person is similar to the world average, but over 85% of its energy comes from fossil fuels. In 2019, Turkey's primary energy supply was around 30% oil, 30% coal, and 25% natural gas. Turkey mines its own lignite (brown coal) but imports three-quarters of its energy, including half the coal and almost all the oil and gas it requires. In 2019, fossil fuel imports cost Turkey $41 billion, representing about a fifth of its total import bill. Turkey's energy policy aims to reduce fossil fuel imports, which accounted for over 20% of the cost of its imports in 2019 and 75% of the current account deficit.
Turkey's dependence on energy imports has impacted its economic and geopolitical orientation. Ankara's energy needs have been rising and are projected to continue to increase until at least 2035. However, Turkey does not have the natural resources to meet its energy needs, so it imports almost all of its energy. This reliance on energy imports creates economic and security constraints for the country.
Turkey's fossil fuel imports come from various sources. In the early 2020s, Turkey diversified its fossil gas supply to reduce dependence on Russia. Gas supplies from Azerbaijan surpassed those from Russia in 2020. However, since February 2022, Turkey has become the world's third-largest consumer of Russian fossil fuels, after China and Germany. Turkey doubled its imports of oil and coal from Russia and is estimated to have purchased almost $26 billion worth of Russian hydrocarbons.
Turkey's fossil fuel imports have environmental consequences. The country's energy policy aims to give "due consideration to environmental concerns all along the energy chain" and "within the context of sustainable development." However, Turkey's fossil fuel use contributes to air pollution and above-average greenhouse gas emissions. The OECD has criticised the lack of carbon pricing and fossil fuel subsidies in the country, as well as the under-utilization of wind and solar energy sources.
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Energy policies and their impact
Turkey's energy policies have aimed to secure a national energy supply and reduce fossil fuel imports, which have impacted the country's economy and geopolitical orientation. In 2019, fossil fuel imports cost Turkey $41 billion, accounting for about 20% of its total import bill and a large part of its current account deficit and debt problems. Turkey's energy policy priorities include reducing imports and utilizing renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar, and geothermal power.
The country has made progress in diversifying its energy sources and increasing the use of renewables. In 2024, renewable energy sources, including wind, solar, and hydro, contributed to about 40% of Turkey's energy supply. Turkey's first nuclear power plant, Akkuyu, was inaugurated in April 2023, with the first of four reactors expected to be operational by 2026. This nuclear deal with Russia will add another layer to the interdependence between the two countries.
However, Turkey still relies heavily on fossil fuels, with over 85% of its primary energy supply coming from oil, coal, and natural gas in 2022. This has contributed to the country's above-average greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. The OECD has criticized Turkey's fossil fuel subsidies, particularly for coal-fired power stations, and the underutilization of its wind and solar potential.
To address these issues, Turkey has implemented the National Energy Efficiency Plan, targeting a decrease in energy intensity by at least 20% between 2011 and 2023. However, progress has been limited, with energy intensity increasing by 7% between 2005 and 2015. Studies suggest that removing fossil fuel subsidies and setting more specific energy efficiency targets for buildings could significantly reduce energy costs and improve energy efficiency.
Turkey's energy policies have had a mixed impact. While the country has made strides in diversifying its energy sources and increasing renewable energy production, it still faces challenges in reducing its reliance on fossil fuels and meeting its climate targets. The country's economic development and international posture are influenced by its energy dependence, highlighting the importance of devising energy policies that address domestic priorities, regional ambitions, and the challenges posed by climate change.
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The environmental impact
Turkey's heavy reliance on fossil fuels has had a significant impact on the environment. In 2019, the country's primary energy supply was around 30% oil, 30% coal, and 25% natural gas, with about 75% of its energy being imported. This high consumption of fossil fuels has resulted in increased air pollution and above-average greenhouse gas emissions. Turkey's emissions per capita were above the global average in 2024, indicating that the country is a significant contributor to climate change.
The country's energy policies have been criticised by the OECD for their lack of carbon pricing and fossil fuel subsidies, which only serve to encourage the continued use of these polluting energy sources. Turkey's energy policy has also been criticised for not sufficiently involving the private sector and for being inconsistent with the country's climate policy. For example, in 2024, a minister stated that Turkey aimed to achieve net-zero by 2053, with half of its primary energy coming from renewables and 30% from nuclear power. However, no explanation was provided for how the remaining 20% would be decarbonised.
Turkey's dependence on energy imports, particularly from Russia, has also impacted its economic and geopolitical orientation. The country's leaders need to devise energy policies that address domestic priorities, regional ambitions, and the challenges posed by climate change. Diversifying energy sources and reducing imports are crucial for Turkey's economic development and energy security.
While Turkey has made some progress in recent years, increasing its use of renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydroelectric power, these sources still only account for a small portion of the country's energy mix. As of 2024, fossil fuels still provided 55% of Turkey's electricity, with coal power being the largest contributor. However, there is hope that the recent inauguration of the Akkuyu nuclear power plant will help to reduce the country's reliance on fossil fuels and improve its environmental impact. Additionally, Turkey has a significant solar potential, with its rooftop solar capacity estimated to be able to meet 45% of its electricity consumption.
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The role of renewable energy sources
Turkey's energy consumption per person is similar to the world average, with over 85% of its energy derived from fossil fuels. However, the country has made notable strides in transitioning to renewable energy sources. As of 2024, renewable energy sources, including hydroelectric, wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass power plants, account for approximately 56% of Turkey's electric power generation capacity. This transition to renewable energy sources is driven by several factors and offers significant benefits.
Firstly, Turkey's heavy reliance on fossil fuel imports has posed economic and geopolitical challenges. In 2019, fossil fuel imports accounted for about 20% of the country's total import costs, contributing significantly to its current account deficit and debt problems. By transitioning to renewable energy sources, Turkey aims to reduce its dependence on energy imports, thereby mitigating these economic constraints and enhancing its energy security.
Secondly, the development of renewable energy sources is a crucial component of Turkey's commitment to sustainable development and environmental considerations. The country has set a target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2053. By increasing the share of renewable energy in its energy mix, Turkey can significantly reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, which are currently above average. This transition will also bring potential health benefits, estimated at $800 million annually, particularly through the phasing out of coal.
Turkey possesses a rich potential for renewable energy sources, particularly hydropower, wind, and geothermal energy. The country has the 11th largest renewable energy generation capacity in the world and is the 5th largest generator of renewable energy in Europe. To further encourage the adoption of renewable energy, Turkey has implemented several incentives and exemptions for solar and wind energy investments. Additionally, the country plans to increase its hydrogen electrolysis installed capacity, with most of the hydrogen being blue and green hydrogen.
While Turkey has made significant progress in adopting renewable energy sources, there are still challenges to be addressed. According to the OECD, the country needs to better utilize its wind and solar potential. Additionally, there is a need to accelerate the transition to renewable energy, with think tank Ember suggesting that Turkey should expand its renewables at least twice as fast to decarbonize the electricity sector effectively.
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Frequently asked questions
Turkey is heavily reliant on fossil fuels because it does not have the natural resources to support its energy needs. In 2022, fossil fuels made up 81.3% of the country's primary energy supply. Turkey imports almost all of the energy it consumes, including 99% of its natural gas and 93% of its petroleum. This reliance on energy imports creates economic and security issues for the country.
Turkey's primary energy supply includes oil, coal, and natural gas. In 2019, these three sources made up 30%, 30%, and 25% of the country's energy supply, respectively. Turkey also has a large surplus of electricity generation capacity, with coal-fired power stations playing a significant role in the country's energy production.
Turkey has taken some steps to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and develop more sustainable energy sources. The country has diversified its fossil gas supply to reduce dependence on Russia, with gas supplies from Azerbaijan surpassing those from Russia in 2020. Turkey is also investing in renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar, and geothermal power. In addition, Turkey is developing nuclear power plants, with the first reactor of the Akkuyu nuclear power plant inaugurated in April 2023.
