Türkiye Ascends to Top Tier in European Onshore Wind Energy

Türkiye considerably bolstered its position in the european renewable energy landscape in 2024, securing a spot among the leading nations for onshore wind energy capacity additions. This surge in renewable energy infrastructure underscores the nation’s strategic pivot toward lasting energy sources, aimed at mitigating reliance on costly fossil fuel imports and bolstering energy independence.

Türkiye’s Wind Energy Surge: Key Figures

In 2024, Türkiye installed 1.3 gigawatts (GW) of onshore wind energy capacity, marking a substantial increase from the previous year. Data from WindEurope’s latest report highlights this impressive growth,propelling Türkiye to rank third in Europe for new onshore wind installations.

• Germany: Led the continent with 3.2 GW of new onshore wind capacity.
• Finland: Followed closely with approximately 1.4 GW.
• spain & France: Completed the top five, adding 1.1 GW and 1 GW respectively.

This expansion is attributed to the commissioning of capacity extension projects at existing wind farms and the advancement of projects under the Renewable Energy Resource Zone (YEKA) auction mechanism, slated for full operation by the end of 2025.

European Overview: A Mixed Bag

While Türkiye showcased remarkable progress, the broader European Union (EU) experienced a somewhat underwhelming year in wind energy installations. A total of 13 GW of wind power was installed across the EU in 2024, falling short of anticipated targets. According to pierre Tardieu of WindEurope, “This is disappointing,” citing grid bottlenecks, permitting hurdles, and challenging financial conditions as primary impediments.

Offshore wind expansion faced additional setbacks, including limited port capacity and a scarcity of specialized vessels.

• Total european Installation: Europe installed 16.4 GW of new wind power capacity in 2024, with EU member states contributing 12.9 GW of this total.
• Onshore Dominance: Approximately 84% of the new wind capacity installed in Europe in 2024 was onshore.

Europe’s Wind Energy Footprint

Europe now boasts a total wind power capacity of 285 GW, comprising 248 GW of onshore and 37 GW of offshore installations. The EU accounts for a significant portion of this, with 231 GW of installed capacity, divided into 210 GW onshore and 21 GW offshore.

Though, to realistically achieve the EU’s ambitious 2030 climate objectives, annual wind energy installations must reach at least 30 GW.

The EU is committed to generating 42.5% of its total energy from renewable sources by the end of the decade,necessitating a substantial acceleration in wind power development.This ambitious target demands not only increased investment, but also streamlining regulatory processes and overcoming infrastructure limitations.

Key National Players:

• Germany: Maintains the largest installed wind power fleet in Europe with 72.7 GW.
• United Kingdom: has surpassed Spain to hold the second-largest fleet with 31.6 GW.
• Spain, France, Sweden, Türkiye: With 31.2 GW, 24.4 GW, 17.2 GW, and 13.8 GW respectively, these top six countries account for two-thirds of Europe’s total installed capacity.
• Italy,Netherlands,Poland: Round out the list of countries with over 10 GW of installed wind power capacity,standing at 12.9 GW,11.7 GW, and 10.2 GW respectively.

Türkiye’s Renewable Energy Vision

Türkiye, recognizing its limited domestic oil and natural gas reserves, has strategically prioritized investments in renewable energy as 2005.This proactive approach aims to reduce the nation’s substantial energy import costs and mitigate exposure to geopolitical instability. By diversifying its energy mix, Türkiye seeks to enhance energy security and promote sustainable economic growth.

Future Projections and Policy Initiatives:

• YEKA Tenders: In October 2024,Türkiye announced plans to conduct YEKA tenders for at least 2 GW annually up to 2035,signaling a long-term commitment to expanding renewable energy capacity.
• Simplified Permitting: Recent updates to the YEKA model include streamlined post-tender permitting procedures and financial incentives such as exemptions from transmission fees, designed to attract greater investor participation.
• Installed Capacity Target: Türkiye aims to increase its installed wind and solar energy capacity from over 33 GW to 120 GW by 2035, according to government targets.

Future Outlook

WindEurope forecasts that approximately 187 GW of new wind energy capacity will be installed across Europe between 2025 and 2030. The EU is expected to account for 140 GW of this, averaging 23 GW per year. Onshore wind farms are projected to attract 75% of new investments during this period, highlighting their continued meaning in Europe’s renewable energy transition.

The average turbine capacity for onshore wind energy in 2024 was 4.6 megawatts (MW), while offshore wind turbines boasted an average capacity of 10.1 MW. Germany led in turbine installations with 644, followed by France with 387, and Türkiye with 272.

WindEurope anticipates that Türkiye will add an additional 12.5 GW of onshore wind capacity, bringing its total to over 26 GW by 2030. This expansion is crucial for Türkiye to meet its growing electricity demand,which is expected to increase significantly due to the ongoing energy change involving the replacement of fossil fuels with electricity. With proactive policy measures and strategic investments, Türkiye is poised to become a regional leader in renewable energy.

Conclusion: Seizing the Momentum

Türkiye’s impressive strides in onshore wind energy capacity solidify its role as a key player in Europe’s renewable energy transition. While challenges remain across the continent, Türkiye’s strategic focus on wind energy, coupled with supportive policy frameworks like the YEKA scheme, positions the nation for continued growth and success. By prioritizing renewable energy, Türkiye not only enhances its energy security but also contributes to global efforts in combating climate change. Is your business ready to capitalize on the growing renewable energy sector? explore investment opportunities and partnerships in Türkiye’s wind energy market today.

What innovative solutions do you think can further accelerate the deployment of onshore wind energy in Europe and around the globe?

Türkiye’s Onshore wind Energy Success: An Interview with Zeynep Demir, Energy Analyst

Türkiye has made notable strides in onshore wind energy, becoming a significant player in Europe’s renewable energy landscape. Archyde News sits down with Zeynep Demir, a leading energy analyst at Veritas Energy Group, to discuss Türkiye’s recent achievements and future prospects in the wind energy sector.

Türkiye’s Wind Energy Growth: A Closer look

Archyde News: Zeynep, thank you for joining us. Türkiye’s onshore wind energy sector has seen remarkable growth recently. What key factors have contributed to this surge in capacity?

Zeynep Demir: It’s a pleasure to be here. Several factors have converged to create this surge. Firstly, the government’s commitment to renewable Energy Resource Zone (YEKA) auctions has been instrumental. These auctions provide a structured framework for project development. Secondly, capacity extensions at existing wind farms have added significant power to the grid relatively quickly. And there’s a growing recognition within Türkiye that renewable energy, particularly wind, is essential for energy independence.

European Context and Challenges

Archyde News: While Türkiye’s performance is impressive,the overall EU figures for wind energy installations fell short of expectations. What challenges are hindering wider wind energy adoption in Europe?

zeynep Demir: Across the EU, we’re seeing several persistent hurdles. Grid bottlenecks are a major issue, preventing the efficient transmission of generated power. Permitting processes can be lengthy and complex, delaying project timelines. And the current financial climate, with rising interest rates, makes financing new wind energy projects more challenging. Offshore wind faces additional difficulties like limited port capacity and a shortage of specialized installation vessels.

Türkiye’s Strategic Advantage

Archyde News: Considering these challenges, what is Türkiye doing differently to achieve such positive results in onshore wind energy development?

zeynep Demir: Türkiye has proactively addressed some of these issues. Streamlining permitting processes, particularly within the YEKA model, has been vital. Offering financial incentives like exemptions from transmission fees also attracts investors. Moreover, a clear, long-term vision, as demonstrated by the announced YEKA tenders up to 2035, provides confidence and encourages investment in the renewable energy sector.

Future Projections and Impact

Archyde News: WindEurope projects significant further growth for Türkiye’s onshore wind capacity by 2030. How critically importent is this expansion for Türkiye’s overall energy strategy?

Zeynep Demir: this expansion is absolutely crucial. Türkiye’s electricity demand is expected to rise substantially as the country transitions away from fossil fuels.Increased wind energy capacity will not only help meet this demand but also reduce reliance on expensive and geopolitically sensitive energy imports. Ultimately, it strengthens Türkiye’s energy security and promotes sustainable economic growth.

Türkiye as a Regional Leader

Archyde News: Do you see Türkiye emerging as a regional leader in renewable energy, particularly wind power?

Zeynep Demir: Absolutely.With its strategic geographic location, supportive policy framework, and growing expertise in wind energy, Türkiye is well-positioned to become a regional leader. The country’s success can serve as a model for other nations in the region looking to embrace renewable energy sources.

A Question for Our Readers

Archyde News: Thank you, zeynep, for your insightful analysis. One final question for our readers: What innovative solutions do you think can further accelerate the deployment of onshore wind energy in Europe and around the globe?