Energy Storage Systems Association (EDSİS) Chairman Can Tutaşı stated that 2026 will mark a turning point for the energy storage sector, noting that it will be the year when storage technologies begin to be fully deployed in the field. Speaking at a press conference organized by EDSİS in Istanbul, Tutaşı emphasized that energy storage systems are crucial for the flexibility of the electricity grid, especially given the rapid capacity growth in wind and solar power.
Tutaşı highlighted that storage technologies now sit at the center of modern energy architecture and are playing an increasingly significant role in national energy policies. He noted that in Türkiye, 33,000 megawatts of projects with preliminary licenses for storage-integrated power plants are expected to begin entering operation toward the end of this year, with a substantial portion becoming operational within the next three years.
Pointing to next year as a critical milestone, Tutaşı said:
“Alongside the allocated 33,000 megawatts of hybrid capacity, we expect a significant share of the projected 6,000–7,000 megawatts of standalone storage projects to move into physical construction and commissioning within the year.”
He underlined that the total capacity, approaching 40,000 megawatts, represents a remarkably high level for the initial phase.
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Domestic Supply Chain Gains Importance
Tutaşı stressed the importance of creating a domestic supply chain in Türkiye’s storage sector, noting that software development is as strategic as hardware production. With the first large-scale battery-supported wind and solar plants expected to begin operations next year, these facilities are anticipated to play an active role in ancillary services, peak management, and frequency regulation.
He added:
“With the approval of domestic battery production applications, the commercialization of energy management software, and the maturation of the local supply chain, 2026 will be the year when storage technologies begin shifting from imports to domestic production. It will not only be a period of capacity allocation but a transition into the phase where storage technologies are truly commissioned in the field.”
Tutaşı emphasized that regulatory frameworks are essential to the development of storage investments, pointing out that regulations are being updated in line with sector needs.
He said that Türkiye has established an “aggressive and investor-friendly” framework with the post-2022 storage regulation, adding:
“Clear standards, certification processes, and technical criteria continue to strengthen the investment climate. Predictable pricing mechanisms are critical for long-term planning and sustainable sector growth.”
Referring to the 11 November 2025 regulation, Tutaşı noted that it allowed producers to supply energy beyond their contracted capacities for a certain period—an arrangement that supported supply security and increased system flexibility, especially during the winter months.
This development, he said, clearly demonstrated the pivotal role of storage in managing sudden demand spikes and grid imbalances, underscoring that excess production could be managed far more efficiently when storage is available.
Tutaşı concluded by noting that energy storage technologies continue to evolve rapidly, and therefore regulations must keep pace with technological advancements in the coming years.
Source: Anadolu Ajansı/ Prepared by: İlayda Gök