Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar reported that foreign dependence on energy decreased to 67.8% in 2022.
The 15th IICEC Conference, organized by Sabanci University Istanbul International Energy and Climate Center (IICEC), with the theme “Changing Energy Geopolitics in the World, Climate Crisis and Turkiye”, was held at Sabanci Center.
In his speech here, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar said that the world needs an annual finance of approximately $6 trillion for a successful and sustainable energy transformation.
“This transformation should be a digital energy transformation”
Noting that successful energy transformation is possible with a smart energy transformation policy, Bayraktar said, “This transformation must be rational. This transformation must be more flexible, more sensitive and more inclusive. This transformation should be a digital energy transformation. In this sense, we are shaping our energy policies in line with the 2053 net zero emission target, without compromising supply security, contributing to global supply diversity and reducing our external dependence.”
Bayraktar stated that energy demand continues to increase with the growth in Turkiye and that future plans are made taking this increase into account.
Pointing out that supply security has emerged as the most important issue at this point, Bayraktar said, “When we look at supply security, we see that we are entering a period in which localization in both resources and technology has become much more important, and we need to be more vigilant at this point, especially due to the risks of breakage in the supply chain.”
Referring to the “National Energy Balance Tables” prepared by the Ministry, Bayraktar said:
“Our main problem in all macroeconomic issues is our dependence on foreign energy and energy imports. This figure has been around 70% over the years, and in some years it has been slightly above. For 2022, Turkiye’s foreign dependency in energy decreased to 67.8%. This is extremely important for us to get below 70%, but we still have a long way to go. Our goal with our National Energy Plan is to save our country from external dependence in the next 30 years and turn it into a net-zero emission country.”
“76 thousand megawatts of capacity has been allocated”
Reminding that it is aimed to increase the share of renewable energy in total energy production to 55% and its share in installed power to 65%, Bayraktar said: “In accordance with these targets, we need to commission 3,500 megawatts of solar and 1,500 megawatts of wind power plants every year for 12 years until 2035, that is, a total of 5,000 megawatts of solar and wind, for a total of 60,000 megawatts of new power. In addition, we aim to commission a capacity of approximately 5 thousand megawatts in offshore wind within this period.”
Bayraktar also drew attention to capacity allocations in renewable energy and said:
“Approximately 11 megawatts of licensed capacity, mainly wind and solar, have been allocated. These are in the hands of investors. Approximately 26 thousand megawatts of industrialists have investment permits and capacity allocations to meet their own consumption. This is a very important initiative regarding our industrialists’ transition to clean energy and meeting their own needs without carbon. A capacity of 26 thousand megawatts, which is more than the installed capacity we have built in 15-20 years, has now been allocated. It has a YEKA capacity of 5 thousand 400 megawatts. Work continues here, some power plants are being put into operation. There is also 33 thousand megawatts of renewable storage. When we add all this up, 76 thousand megawatts of capacity is currently allocated. If we realize half of this capacity in the next 5 years, we will add 38 thousand megawatts of additional power to our country.”
Emphasizing that energy efficiency is at the center of energy transformation, Bayraktar said, “We have completed our work. We aim to announce our Energy Efficiency National Action Plan covering the years 2024-2030 next month. Within the scope of the plan, Turkiye will reduce carbon emissions by 100 million tons.”
Emission trading preparation within EPIAS
Bayraktar stated that the next period will be a period in which the share of electricity in primary energy demand increases and said, “In this sense, we aim to commission a 5 gigawatt electrolyzer capacity within the scope of the Turkish National Energy Plan by 2035. We aim to establish a hydrogen value chain that competes with developed countries with a natural gas-hydrogen mixture ratio of approximately 3.5%.”
Referring to carbon markets, Bayraktar stated that one of the most important tools in the fight against climate change is carbon pricing. Bayraktar said, “We aim to implement emission trading within the Energy Markets Enterprise Inc. (EPIAS) next year.”
Source: Trthaber / Prepared by Irem Yildiz