Turkish energy minister says global tensions reshape energy policies

(MENAFN) Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said on Saturday that rising global uncertainty and geopolitical tensions are reshaping energy policies, highlighting that strong political will and international collaboration are essential to address these challenges.

Speaking at a ministers’ panel titled “Strategic Partnerships: Positioning Libya as a Global Energy Leader” during the Libya Energy and Economy Summit (LEES) 2026 in Tripoli, Bayraktar stressed that supply security remains Türkiye’s top energy priority.

He noted that Türkiye’s energy demand has sharply increased over the past two decades and is expected to triple over the next 30 years, warning that emerging factors such as artificial intelligence, data centers, and cooling needs are not fully reflected in current projections. “Most likely, the demand is going to grow even more than triple. So, that’s why we need to address this growing demand,” he said.

Bayraktar highlighted reducing import dependence as a key challenge, noting that Türkiye relies heavily on imported natural gas, oil, and coal. He also reaffirmed the country’s climate goals, citing President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s target to achieve carbon neutrality by the early 2050s.

He outlined a comprehensive energy policy framework addressing supply security, import dependence, and climate objectives, with renewable energy at its core. “We have a great potential of solar, wind, geothermal and biogas. Every single year, we are adding 8 to 9 gigawatts of new solar and wind energy to our energy mix,” Bayraktar said, also highlighting Türkiye’s ambitious energy efficiency programs.

Nuclear power forms another pillar of Türkiye’s strategy, with four reactors under construction at the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant. “This year, our first reactor will be online. We will generate electricity from our first nuclear reactor,” he added.

MENAFN25012026000045017640ID1110646123