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- October 13, 202618°
- BIST10012,151-0.94%
- USD49.220.00%
- EUR55.21+0.28%
- GOLD4,196.40+0.14%
- INTEREST37.00%-1.00
- BITCOIN82,472-1.44%
- October 13, 202618°
Türkiye's electricity demand rose 5% annually, fastest among IEA members
Türkiye's electricity demand grew by an average of 5% annually from 2005 to 2024, marking the fastest increase among International Energy Agency members. The National Energy Plan projects demand will reach 510 terawatt-hours in 2035 and renewables will account for 55% of electricity generation.
Türkiye's electricity demand grew by an average of 5% annually from 2005 to 2024. This was the fastest increase among the 32 International Energy Agency (IEA) member countries, including the United States, Germany, Belgium and the United Kingdom.
The IEA's Türkiye Energy Policy Review said strong economic and population growth had reshaped the country's energy needs. Electricity demand is expected to continue growing in the coming years, while the National Energy Plan projects that demand will reach 510 terawatt-hours in 2035.
Industry and services drive growth
According to the review, economic activity in the industrial and services sectors was the main driver of growth in electricity demand. Household electricity consumption also rose by 14% from 2023 to 2024.
The increase in household consumption was driven by greater use of air conditioning and electrical appliances, as well as increased use of electricity for heating and cooking in some regions.
Türkiye reached new records for electricity demand during the summer months. Peak electricity demand hit a new high of 59.5 gigawatts during the heatwave in July 2025.
Share of renewables to increase
Renewable energy sources are expected to play a greater role in meeting rising electricity demand. Renewables accounted for 43% of total electricity generation in 2025, and the target is to raise that share to 55% by 2035.
Solar power capacity is projected to increase from 20 gigawatts in 2024 to 77 gigawatts in 2035, while wind power capacity is expected to rise from 13 gigawatts to 43.1 gigawatts. The IEA said this rapid capacity expansion would require greater flexibility in the electricity system.
Grid and storage investments take priority
Türkiye's smart-grid roadmap projects the creation of a total of 35 gigawatts of flexible resources by 2035. Rooftop solar power and storage will account for 10 gigawatts of this capacity, large-scale energy storage for 10 gigawatts, grid management for 5 gigawatts and demand-side management for 10 gigawatts.
Türkiye also plans to increase its electricity interconnection capacity with neighboring countries by 2035. Export capacity is targeted to triple to 6.75 gigawatts, while import capacity is expected to increase fivefold to 6.6 gigawatts. As part of this effort, a 14,700-kilometer high-voltage direct-current line is planned.
The IEA emphasized that investments in the grid, energy storage and other flexibility resources need to be accelerated to meet rising electricity demand.
IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said investments in grids, flexibility and energy efficiency would strengthen energy security as Türkiye's energy demand continues to grow rapidly. Birol said these investments would support economic competitiveness and reduce Türkiye's exposure to volatility in international fuel prices.
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