China and Turkey have signed a preliminary $15 billion renewable energy agreement covering 7 GW of solar and wind capacity, energy storage and power transmission infrastructure.
China Turkey renewable energy deal targets 7 GW of solar and wind capacity
Turkey and China have signed a preliminary agreement for approximately $15 billion in Chinese investment in solar and wind power projects across Turkey, with a combined capacity of 7,000 MW.
The memorandum of understanding was signed by energy officials from both countries on the sidelines of the COP31 climate summit in Antalya, Turkey. The agreement covers cooperation in renewable energy, energy storage and electricity transmission infrastructure, Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar announced in a post on X.
Under the China Turkey renewable energy deal, the two countries aim to develop 7,000 MW of solar and wind power capacity, new energy storage systems and 4,000 MW of electricity transmission capacity.
Bayraktar also stated: “The agreement will enable technology transfer, support the production of wind turbine components in Turkey and make a significant contribution to the development of Turkish industry.”
Renewable energy expands, but coal remains Turkey’s largest source of electricity
In 2025, 43% of Turkey’s electricity came from low-carbon sources, in line with the global average.
Despite drought conditions and a decline in hydropower generation during 2025, hydropower remained Turkey’s largest source of clean electricity, accounting for 16% of total generation.
The country’s combined share of wind and solar power reached 22%, exceeding the global average of 17%.
However, coal remains Turkey’s largest source of electricity generation, accounting for 34% of the country’s power mix.
Nearly two-thirds of Turkey’s coal-fired electricity generation relies on imported coal, a dependence that has direct implications for the country’s energy security.
Turkey’s renewable energy ambitions face climate policy contradictions
Turkey aims to quadruple its wind and solar power capacity to 120 GW by 2035.
The strategy includes annual renewable energy auctions totalling 2 GW, $108 billion in investment to expand generation capacity and modernise the electricity grid, and a target of adding at least 7.5 to 8 GW of new renewable energy capacity each year.
The country has also committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2053.
However, its second Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), submitted in November 2025, established an emissions limit of 643 MtCO2e for 2035.
This target would allow emissions to continue rising until 2038, leaving just 15 years to achieve the country’s 2053 net-zero objective, as highlighted by the Italian climate think tank ECCO.
Turkey faces growing energy demand and major infrastructure investment needs
Turkey faces substantial energy demand and infrastructure investment requirements, while access to international financing remains a significant challenge.
Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city, will require approximately $100 billion in financing to support its green transition.
Climate adaptation investments would cover renewable energy, metro networks, waste and water treatment systems, green spaces and other infrastructure.
Nuri Aslan outlined these requirements during a Bloomberg Green event held alongside the COP31 United Nations climate summit in Antalya.
