Over the past year, from July 2024 to June 2025, Turkey's electricity consumption has primarily been fueled by a mix of fossil and low-carbon energy sources. Fossil fuels accounted for more than half of the electricity generation, with coal being the most significant contributor at around a third, followed by gas at just over 21%. Low-carbon sources generated just under half of the electricity, showcasing Turkey's diversification efforts. Among these, hydropower led with a significant share of almost 18.5%, while wind and solar contributed about 11% and 10% respectively. Geothermal and biofuels contributed only modestly, each providing around 2.5% of the electricity generated. In this context, low-carbon energy, especially through wind and solar, represents a substantial part of Turkey's electricity mix, but there's still room to increase its share to further reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, IEA and World Bank. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Turkey?
The recent statistics highlight a slight increase in Turkey's overall electricity consumption, with an average of 3885 kWh per person, marginally up from the previous record of 3841 kWh per person in 2024. This growth, although modest at 44 kWh per person, suggests a steady rise in electricity demand, likely driven by economic activity and increased electrification. However, it's concerning that the per-person generation of low-carbon electricity has seen a slight dip, moving from a previous peak of 1793 kWh to 1737 kWh. The 56 kWh reduction in low-carbon generation per person is a troubling sign given the global need to increase clean electricity to mitigate climate change and air pollution. This underscores the immediate need to ramp up efforts in low-carbon electricity generation to meet future demands sustainably.
Suggestions
To enhance low-carbon electricity generation, Turkey can build upon its existing strengths in wind and solar energy. Expanding these sectors offers a viable approach to increasing the overall low-carbon share. Drawing inspiration from countries like Denmark and Iowa, where wind energy contributes over 50% and 60% of their electricity respectively, Turkey could similarly increase its wind capacity. Additionally, Turkey can look towards Nevada and California for solar energy inspiration, with solar contributing around 33% and 29% of their electricity. Furthermore, while Turkey does not currently have nuclear energy, successful nuclear programs in countries like France and Slovakia, where over two-thirds of their electricity comes from nuclear power, highlight the potential benefits of adopting this reliable low-carbon energy source. Such strategic expansions and partnerships can significantly bolster Turkey's clean energy capacity and help transition its electricity grid toward a more sustainable future.
History
Historically, Turkey's low-carbon electricity generation has seen various phases primarily driven by hydropower. The late 1980s witnessed significant growth with positive gains, especially between 1987 and 1988. However, fluctuations were common in the subsequent decades, with notable downturns in years like 1989 and the early 2000s. In contrast, the 2010s saw some substantial increases, notably the 26.5 TWh growth in 2015, illustrating the potential for recovery and growth. Despite these positive trends, periods of decline, including a significant reduction of 22 TWh in 2021, underscore the inconsistency in tapping into Turkey's hydropower capacity. In recent years, the introduction of solar energy, notably an 8.1 TWh increase in 2024, indicates a positive diversification into other low-carbon areas, complementing traditional sources. Consistency in growth and diversification into other clean energy technologies will be essential for Turkey to maintain and potentially increase its low-carbon electricity production.
