2026 Will Be the Year of Wind

Minister Bayraktar noted that they will continue to organize YEKA tenders for at least 2,000 megawatts annually, adding, “2026 will truly be the year of wind. Indeed, 1,500 megawatts of the YEKA tenders will be for wind power.”

Minister Bayraktar attended the opening ceremony of the 15th Turkey Wind Energy Congress (TÜREK 2026). 

A Multi-Pronged Strategy

Noting that uncertainties have increased in the current period, crises have become persistent, and energy supply security has become the top priority for countries, Minister Bayraktar said, “We are implementing a multi-layered strategy that reduces energy dependence on external sources, prioritizes supply security, maximizes the use of domestic and renewable resources, and simultaneously brings about an energy transition that is environmentally sustainable. Thankfully, today Türkiye is one of the countries that does not face any issues with energy supply,” he said.

Approximately 11% Share in Electricity Production

Minister Bayraktar noted that electricity is at the heart of Türkiye’s energy transition, and renewable energy is at the heart of electricity. Noting that in 2005, only 33 percent of total installed capacity came from renewable sources, Minister Bayraktar said, “Today, Türkiye’s total installed capacity has exceeded 125,000 megawatts, and approximately 63 percent of this comes from renewable energy sources. One of the most important pillars of this success is, of course, wind energy. Our wind installed capacity, which was only 20 megawatts in 2005, has now surpassed 15,000 megawatts. Within our total electricity production of 393 billion kilowatt-hours in 2025, wind power plants account for approximately 11 percent. “We have reached an all-time high with an annual electricity production of 34.5 billion kilowatt-hours,” he shared. Minister Bayraktar noted that wind turbines have become one of the strongest symbols of Türkiye’s energy independence. 

500 Manufacturers and 50,000 Jobs

Minister Bayraktar stated that they have achieved a localization rate of over 60% in wind turbines in Türkiye today, adding, “We have exceeded 70% in the production of towers, generators, and blades. We have established a very broad production capacity, ranging from towers to generators, and from blades to casting equipment. “In the renewable energy industry, where we had only 27 manufacturers in 2014, there are now 500 domestic manufacturers operating today. When you add the subcontractors to this, we are providing green employment for approximately 50,000 citizens. Today, there is no longer just a Türkiye that consumes energy; there is a strong Türkiye that develops technology, manufactures equipment, and exports it.”

$30 Billion Investment in Green Transmission Infrastructure

Minister Bayraktar stated that, in line with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s 2035 target, they aim to increase Türkiye’s total installed wind and solar capacity to 120,000 megawatts, noting that they will expand and make the transmission infrastructure more resilient. Minister Bayraktar said, “We will invest approximately $30 billion in green transmission infrastructure by 2035.” “In addition, we aim to turn Türkiye into a hub for regional energy trade by increasing our interconnection capacity,” he said.

1,500 Megawatts of Wind Power in YEKA

Recalling that they have held YEKA tenders totaling 7,800 megawatts to date, Minister Bayraktar stated, “We will continue to organize YEKA tenders of at least 2,000 megawatts annually in the coming period. We can say that 2026 will be the year of wind power. After all, 1,500 megawatts of the YEKA tenders will be for wind energy,” he explained.

We Have Identified Four Separate ‘Offshore’ Sites

Minister Bayraktar said, “One of the most strategic priorities for the coming period will be offshore wind energy. Our country possesses significant potential in this field. As the Ministry, we have identified four separate ‘offshore’ sites in the Saros Gulf, Gökçeada, Bozcaada, and off the coast of Edremit. Once the permitting processes are completed, we will hold Türkiye’s first offshore wind YEKA tender. We aim to reach a capacity of 5,000 megawatts in offshore wind by 2035.”

We Will Send Important Messages to the World

Emphasizing the great importance of the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, to be held in Türkiye in November, Minister Bayraktar stated, “From wind to solar, from nuclear energy to efficiency, we will send important messages to the world from Antalya with ambitious goals across many areas. We will evaluate opportunities for cooperation in line with our new energy architecture and sign various agreements.”

Zero Waste Festival

Noting that the Zero Waste initiative, launched in 2017 by Emine Erdoğan, the wife of President Erdoğan, has evolved into a global brand, Minister Bayraktar added: “Energy efficiency also holds a significant place within this initiative. As the Ministry, we aim to raise awareness about energy efficiency first at the national level and then internationally. In this context, we will launch the Zero Waste Festival, which will bring together energy efficiency and the Zero Waste approach under a shared vision of social transformation. Under the patronage of Her Excellency, and in collaboration between our Ministry and the Zero Waste Foundation, the theme of the festival will be ‘Energy Efficiency, Transformation for the Future.’ On this occasion, I invite all our citizens, young people, and sector representatives to this important event, which will take place at Atatürk Airport from June 4–7.”