In the heart of Türkiye, a nation straddling the crossroads of continents, a critical debate is unfolding around the future of its energy landscape. Hasan Hüseyin Miraç Gül, an energy expert from Sigun Ekolojik Danışmanlık Ltd. Şti., Ankara, has delved into the complexities of Türkiye’s energy policy, revealing a tension between the country’s pursuit of energy security and its climate change mitigation goals. His findings, published in the journal ‘Energies’, offer a compelling narrative that could reshape the energy sector’s future.
Türkiye’s energy policy has long been a balancing act between securing affordable energy and reducing its carbon footprint. The country’s Strategy Plan 2015–2019, developed by the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, emphasizes the exploitation of domestic coal for energy security. However, this approach contradicts Türkiye’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 41% by 2030. Gül’s research sheds light on this paradox, highlighting the role of coal, wind, and solar power in energy policy-making through scenario analyses.
Gül’s study indicates that if Türkiye continued its pre-2020 energy policy, domestic coal would remain crucial for energy security. However, both wind and solar power have the potential to contribute significantly to energy security and climate change mitigation. “Investing in renewable energy-based power generation may contribute to the attainment of emission reduction targets in this country,” Gül stated, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach.
The commercial implications of this research are profound. The energy sector in Türkiye, and indeed globally, is at a crossroads. The findings suggest that while coal may secure energy supply in the short term, it exacerbates CO2 emissions. In contrast, wind power is more promising for lowering carbon emissions, while solar power can enhance energy security. This insight could drive significant investment shifts towards renewable energy sources, particularly wind and solar.
Gül’s research also underscores the need for policy adjustments. The Strategy Plan of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources does not specify renewable targets, a gap that Gül’s study aims to fill. “Türkiye needs to define renewable installation targets in its policy documents,” Gül emphasized, suggesting that the country should renovate its grid to accommodate the intermittency of solar and wind power.
The implications for the energy sector are clear: a shift towards renewable energy sources is not just environmentally responsible but also economically prudent. Investing in wind and solar power could reduce Türkiye’s dependence on imported fuels, enhance energy security, and meet climate change mitigation targets. This transition, however, requires strategic planning, policy support, and significant investment.
Gül’s research, published in ‘Energies’, provides a roadmap for Türkiye’s energy future. It highlights the need for a comprehensive approach that includes managing energy demand, increasing domestic energy supply, and enhancing the reliability of imported or domestic supplies. The study also suggests that Türkiye should prioritize investment in wind power to improve its potential availability and explore innovative uses of solar capacity.
As Türkiye navigates its energy future, the insights from Gül’s research could shape policy decisions, investment strategies, and technological advancements. The energy sector stands on the brink of a transformative era, and Gül’s findings offer a compelling vision of what that future could look like.
