Turkey's renewable energy strategy faces challenges

Significance Expansion of nuclear power forms part of Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar's renewable energy strategy, which aims to reduce dependence on external primary energy sources, especially gas, and to help Turkey achieve net-zero emissions by 2053. Impacts A desire to provide energy to the new Syrian government may derail the focus on building out renewable capacity. Reducing reliance on imported gas may offer leverage in ongoing negotiations with Russia and Iran to renew existing gas supply contracts. Increasing power generation from domestic renewables resources should eventually help to reduce subsidies to lower gas and power prices. Increased renewables capacity and export interconnection capacity may help develop a market for exporting green power to Europe.