Turkey’s race towards green energy: storage systems, renewables, and investments in the energy sector

Global energy is going through a stage of rapid transformation. International tensions, from the crisis between the United States and Iran to instability in various strategic areas, are putting the spotlight back on a question that had seemed resolved: the security of supplies. Under these circumstances, fossil fuels are once again showing just how vulnerable they can be. Unstable prices, geopolitical dependencies and weaknesses in energy routes make the need for a different system clearer and clearer; a system which is more resilient, distributed, and capable of adapting to market changes in real time. This is exactly where batteries come into play, no longer as mere supporting technology, but as a true pillar of the new architecture of electricity: serving to stabilise the grid, to integrate the ever-growing production from wind and solar sources, and to reduce foreign energy dependency.

This is the very sector in which Turkey has developed an ambitious and pragmatic energy strategy in recent years. Historically dependent on imports of gas and petroleum, it has chosen to invest heavily in renewables and, above all, in storage. According to the most recent projections, Turkey is on track to overtake the installed battery capacity of the European Union over the short term. This is the result of a combination of factors: streamlined authorisation procedures, targeted incentives, and a clear industrial vision.

The race in numbers. The data make the significance of the Turkish strategy obvious. According to analyses by the think tank Ember, Turkey has launched projects to achieve a battery storage capacity of over 33 GW since 2022, a value markedly greater than that of the European countries which are most advanced in this sector. Germany and Italy, for example, which are among the leaders in storage development, have reached a total capacity of between 12 and 13 GW, counting both planned systems and those in operation. This is without a doubt a fine headline for the country which will host COP31, the United Nations Climate Change Conference, in November. Even more significant is the comparison with overall potential. Projects representing around 221 GW of storage have been presented in Turkey, with a significant share (33 GW) already approved. This capacity is the equivalent of around 83% of the country’s current wind and solar production, a proportion to which only Romania can compare in Europe.

All of this is taking place against the backdrop of a major growth in renewables: today, around 20% of Turkish electricity comes from wind and solar, a share greater than that of many countries in the Middle East and Central Asia, though still less than the European average. Turkey, however, is aiming to reach an installed capacity of 120 GW in wind and solar energy by 2035, compared to its current 40 GW. At the same time, the system remains tied to coal, which represents around 34% of electricity production, bolstered by incentivising policies. It was a specific regulatory choice which made this green acceleration possible: starting in 2022, Turkey introduced a mechanism which guarantees preferential access to the grid for renewable plants paired with equivalent storage systems. A clear signal to the market, this generated an unprecedented wave of investments. The result is a model in which storage does not trail after developments in renewables, but anticipates and guides such developments. In fact, Turkey has simplified procedures and incentivised investments, attracting capital and accelerating development times.

Batteries: the heart of the transition. The major limitation of renewable energy is well known: the sun sets, the wind dies down, and production isn’t always available when it’s needed. This is exactly what makes storage such a game-changer. Batteries make it possible to store up energy while it’s available, and to release it during peak demand times. In other words, they transform an unstable system into a reliable one. Turkey has made the switch ahead of many others. By integrating its renewable plants with storage systems from the very start, the nation is building a more flexible and autonomous energy grid. It’s not just about technology, but a paradigm shift: from producing energy “when possible” to having energy available “when needed”. In recent years, Europe too has recognised the key role of batteries. In fact, EU plans call for significant growth in storage over the coming years, in line with climate targets.

Towards a new energy balance. The Turkish strategy is not an isolated case, but a sign of a more profound change. The global energy system is shifting towards a model in which electricity, storage and grids are increasingly central. In this new balance, those who can best integrate these three elements will have a decisive competitive advantage. Turkey has chosen to take rapid action, banking on flexibility and autonomy. Europe is proceeding with more caution, but with a structured vision. In both cases, the direction of travel is clear: the future of energy is not merely a matter of the amounts produced, but of how it is managed, stored and distributed. And it is precisely this invisible network, made up of connections and intelligent solutions, in which the real energy transition will take place.