Over the past twelve months, from April 2025 to March 2026, Turkey's electricity consumption has shown a clear division between fossil fuel and low-carbon energy sources. More than half of Turkey's electricity, around 52%, is still derived from fossil fuels, primarily coal, which alone accounts for almost a third, and natural gas, which contributes about a fifth. However, Turkey is making significant strides toward cleaner energy, with 48% of its electricity coming from low-carbon sources. Hydropower plays a major role among these clean sources at approximately 19%, followed by wind contributing nearly 13% and solar energy providing close to 11%. Geothermal and biofuels add small but notable portions, together accounting for around 5% of the total electricity generation.

Is Electricity Growing in Turkey?

Turkey's electricity consumption per person is on an upward trajectory. In 2026, the average consumption rose to 3831 kWh per person, surpassing the previous record of 3792 kWh per person set in 2025. This indicates a growth of 39 kWh per person, suggesting an ongoing increase in electricity demand and consumption. Furthermore, low-carbon electricity generation has reached 1826 kWh per person, a noteworthy advancement from the previous peak of 1712 kWh per person in 2024. This increase of 114 kWh per person in clean energy consumption marks a positive step towards sustainable energy goals, reflecting significant investment and development in low-carbon energy infrastructure.

Suggestions

To further boost low-carbon electricity generation, Turkey could focus on expanding its wind and solar capacities, as these technologies already contribute considerable amounts to its electricity mix. Looking to successful examples globally, Turkey could draw inspiration from Denmark, where wind energy constitutes 60% of the electricity supply. Solar energy can also see larger scale implementation, following California's example, where solar accounts for over 30% of electricity. Additionally, introducing nuclear power could transform Turkey's energy landscape significantly. Countries like France and Slovakia highlight the potential impact, with nuclear energy making up around 67% and 65% of their respective electricity mixes. Expanding solar and investing in nuclear can substantially increase Turkey's clean energy capacity, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and driving down carbon emissions.

History

Historically, Turkey's hydroelectric power has seen fluctuations but remains a cornerstone of its clean energy strategy. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, hydroelectric output experienced significant changes with increases in some years followed by declines, such as a notable drop of around 11 TWh in 1989. The early 2000s saw further growth and reductions; a remarkable increase of nearly 29 TWh occurred in 2019. Recent years have also seen dynamic changes, though the trend maintains an upward momentum, with an 8 TWh growth in 2026. Solar energy has seen more recent advances, particularly evident from 2024 onwards, with contributions like a 10 TWh increase in 2025. Emphasizing growth in solar alongside a stable and possibly expanding nuclear capacity, Turkey could ensure its future electricity needs are met sustainably, supporting both economic growth and environmental commitments.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

* 12M = Last 12 months (Apr 2025 – Mar 2026) — a rolling 12-month period, not a calendar year.