Imported Coal Remains Top Source of Electricity Generation Despite Growth in Solar and Wind

Wind and solar power accounted for 18.2% of Turkey's electricity generation in 2024, while thermal power plants fuelled by imported coal remained the primary energy source with the largest share.

In 2024, the share of renewable energy sources in Turkey's electricity generation increased, while the shares of coal and gas declined. In 2024, when electricity generation reached 343 billion kilowatt-hours, renewable energy sources—including hydroelectric power—accounted for more than 45% of electricity generation. A year earlier, this figure stood at 42%. Hydroelectric power plants reached a 21.3% share, while wind accounted for 10.7% and solar for 7.5%. These sources were followed by geothermal at 3.2% and biomass plants at 2.6%. Thermal power plants fuelled by imported coal maintained their position as the primary energy source with the largest share in electricity generation this year as well.

The shares of fossil fuel power plants driving the climate crisis in electricity generation declined slightly. Coal-fired thermal plants' contribution to electricity generation remained at 35.1%, while gas plants' share fell below 19%. Thus the upward trend in coal-fired thermal plants came to an end. In the previous year (2023), coal's share in electricity generation had reached 36.3%. Despite the decline, thermal power plants fuelled by imported coal retained their position as the source with the largest share in electricity generation. 22% of Turkey's generated electricity was produced in thermal power plants fuelled by imported coal.

"The Target Should Be 100% Renewable"
Özgür Gürbüz, Board Member of Ekosfer Derneği, highlighted that the share of renewable energy—including hydroelectric power—in electricity generation reached 45% due to increased capacity in solar energy. Özgür Gürbüz stated, "While electricity generated from solar energy was 11 billion kilowatt-hours in 2020, it reached 25 billion kilowatt-hours four years later. If the use of solar energy is facilitated, starting with service buildings such as schools and hospitals, and if energy cooperatives are given an opportunity, this growth can accelerate further."

Gürbüz said that Turkey's target in electricity generation should be 100% renewable energy, by also bringing energy efficiency and energy conservation into play. He explained, "This way, Turkey can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions released into the atmosphere, alleviate environmental problems, particularly air pollution, and reduce the energy import bill by decreasing dependence on imported sources such as oil, coal and gas." Gürbüz added that it is necessary to set a clear date for the closure of coal-fired thermal plants as part of a plan to accelerate energy transition.