Turkey is experiencing a rapid and radical transition of its energy system with the growing economy and the subsequent energy demand, country-specific economic priorities and the markets that are becoming more competitive. Examples to this transition include the rapidly increasing renewable energy investments, on-site and distributed generation assets and the market model that is increasingly giving the opportunity to the consumers to make their own energy choices.
The “National Energy and Mining Policy” is of paramount importance to pave the way for energy transition in Turkey as it prioritises the use of local renewable energy resources, development of grids and predictable markets. Likewise, The National Energy Efficiency Action Plan that was released at the beginning of 2018 puts forward concrete steps about how to improve and create a market for energy efficiency. Therefore it is an essential part of the energy transition. The recent auctions for renewable energy resource-zones and the tenders for pre-licensing show that renewable energy-based electricity generation has a strong cost advantage. In addition, substituting imported fuels with their domestic equivalents and the use of local technology will contribute to the national economy of Turkey by reducing current account deficit, creating economic activity and new job opportunities.
Turkey has also the potential to become a leader in reshaping the energy landscape thanks to its diverse and abundant availability of renewable energy resources, the industry that can offer solutions to improve energy efficiency and the investors that are ready to utilise the opportunities offered by flexible and new business models. By turning this potential into reality, energy transition can contribute to economic growth as low-carbon technologies become more cost-competitive and enable the well-being and a sustainable future for its citizens.
In order to utilise these opportunities, many actors of the public sector, energy sector associations, private sector, universities and the civil society are carrying out valuable research and activities to operationalise the targets and roadmaps of the Turkish energy transition. On the other hand, so far no platform exists that can facilitate the exchanges of views and enable the energy transition to be positioned on unbiased and independent pillars. To shape the energy transition that it is rapid, efficient and beneficial for all stakeholders and to contribute to the on-going debate, there is a need for a think-tank that focuses on topics related to energy economics and policy and that carries out research and technical analysis.