The surge in battery storage applications followed a 2022 mandate by Turkish regulators requiring new wind and solar projects to be paired with equivalent battery capacity, according to multiple reports. According to Ember, the mandate triggered 221 GW of applications, of which 33 GW have been approved. According to Euronews, Ufuk Alparslan, regional lead at Ember, described the policy's success as stemming from the regulator opening unlimited grid capacity for storage-integrated renewables, which led to a flood of investor interest.
Turkey is the only country in the Middle East, Caucasus and Central Asia where wind and solar have surpassed a 20% share of electricity generation, Ember said. However, Turkey ranks 15th in Europe for wind generation and 16th for total renewables generation. Coal remains Turkey's largest source of power, generating 34% of its electricity in 2024.
In Turkey the policy's key success came when the regulator opened up unlimited grid capacity for storage-integrated wind and solar projects, which led to a flood of investor interest.
5 GW of wind and solar in 2024, short of the 8 GW needed to meet its 2035 target. Grid-scale battery costs dropped 45% from 2024 to 2025, continuing a trend of roughly 20% annual cost reductions over the past decade, according to Dr. Beatrice Petrovich, senior energy analyst at Ember.
According to Euronews, Dr. Petrovich described the cost drop as a record low, noting that projects are increasingly profitable without subsidies as battery economics improve. Turkey will host the COP31 climate summit in Antalya in November 2025, according to multiple reports.
By mandating storage with renewables, Türkiye hasn't just increased its targets; it has created a massive investment signal that outstrips its European peers.
5 million panels covering 20 million square metres, has been producing energy since 2023 and generates nearly three billion kWh annually, according to multiple reports. 2 GW). However, The Guardian reports total planned and operational capacity (including operational) at 12-13 GW, similar to Germany and Italy.
The difference arises because Euronews reports only the pipeline, while The Guardian includes operational capacity. Turkey's current operational battery capacity remains unclear.
If delivered, Türkiye's battery pipeline will be the backbone of a new, clean regional energy hub.