Minister Bayraktar: We will make Türkiye a centre of energy

Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar spoke at the 19th Verona Eurasia Economic Forum in Istanbul, organised with the support of the Independent Industrialists and Businessmen's Association (MÜSİAD) and Ibn Haldun University. Bayraktar said the world is facing one of the most serious energy insecurity periods in modern history, and that energy security should not be taken lightly.

Bayraktar said economies face three challenges: ensuring energy security, meeting rising demand and carrying out the energy transition. He said Türkiye's answer is clear: diversification, significant investment in the energy sector and broader international cooperation. He noted that renewables make up more than 62 percent of Türkiye's total installed electricity generation capacity, and that wind and solar capacity has already exceeded 43 gigawatts.

He said Türkiye plans to invest around 80 billion dollars in its electricity grid by 2040. He also said that when the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, with 4 reactors and 4.8 gigawatts of capacity, reaches full capacity, it will meet about 10 percent of Türkiye's electricity demand. Bayraktar also noted that Türkiye will host COP31 in Antalya in November.