Türkiye’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar has announced that the share of local and renewable energy sources in the country’s electricity generation continued to rise significantly in May, reaching new milestone levels.

In a statement shared on his social media account, Minister Bayraktar said that domestic resources accounted for 85% of Türkiye’s total electricity production last month, while renewable energy sources made up 72.3% of generation.

Hydropower leads record renewable output

Highlighting the key role of hydroelectric power plants in this performance, Bayraktar noted that hydropower facilities achieved record production levels in May. According to the minister, hydroelectric plants generated 11.71 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity during the month.

He added that this output meant hydropower alone contributed 43.1% of Türkiye’s total electricity generation, making it the largest single source within the renewable energy mix.

Energy officials have long emphasized hydroelectricity as a cornerstone of Türkiye’s renewable energy strategy, particularly due to the country’s extensive river systems and existing dam infrastructure.

Push for energy independence

Bayraktar underlined that Türkiye is making full use of its domestic energy potential and continuing efforts to reduce dependence on imported energy resources. He said the government is pursuing policies aimed at increasing the share of local and renewable sources in the national energy mix.

“We are utilizing Türkiye’s energy potential in the most efficient way possible,” Bayraktar said, stressing that ongoing investments and reforms are aligned with the long-term objective of achieving what he described as a “fully independent Türkiye in energy.”

Broader energy transition goals

Türkiye has been expanding its renewable energy capacity in recent years, with investments in solar, wind, and hydroelectric power playing a central role in national energy strategy. Authorities say these developments are intended not only to strengthen energy security but also to reduce carbon emissions and align with global climate targets.

The latest figures are seen as part of a broader trend of increasing renewable penetration in Türkiye’s electricity sector, reflecting both growing installed capacity and favorable seasonal hydropower conditions. (ILKHA)