Turkey Surpasses EU in Battery Capacity Approvals for Electricity Grid
Emerging as a leader in clean technology development, Turkey has approved more battery capacity to bolster its electricity grid than any single member of the European Union, as revealed by a recent report. This development highlights a shifting dynamic where affluent nations are losing momentum in the transition to sustainable energy.
Since 2022, Turkey has sanctioned over 33GW of battery capacity, according to climate thinktank Ember. In contrast, leading European countries such as Germany and Italy have a combined planned and operational capacity of just 12-13GW.
Positioned at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Turkey is part of a group of developing countries experiencing rapid growth in clean technology adoption. This trend is driven by decreasing costs and ongoing issues in the fossil fuel sector. The findings are timely as Turkey prepares to host the Cop31 climate summit in Antalya this November.
Ember analyst Ufuk Alparslan, who authored the report, noted that Turkey’s policy decisions have sparked “massive investment” in battery storage, surpassing efforts in Europe. He stated, “If delivered, Turkey’s battery pipeline will be the backbone of a new, clean regional energy hub.”
Batteries play a crucial role in maximizing the benefits of renewable energy sources like wind and solar. By storing electricity generated during optimal conditions, batteries can supply power when weather conditions are less favorable, reducing dependency on fossil fuels.
European experts in the energy sector have emphasized the need for increased investment in electricity storage solutions and grid infrastructure. Their calls have become more urgent following recent geopolitical tensions, such as the Iran war, which have exacerbated the fossil fuel crisis.
The surge in Turkey’s battery projects can be traced back to a 2022 policy allowing renewables with equivalent storage to receive preferential grid access. Of the 221GW in submitted applications, 33GW have been approved, which is 83% of Turkey’s current wind and solar capacity. Romania is the only EU nation with a higher ratio.
Energy researcher Greg Nemet from the University of Wisconsin-Madison highlighted the “dramatic” expansion of solar and battery technologies in developing countries, noting a 90% drop in their costs over the last decade. He observed, “Cheap solar and batteries create a tremendous opportunity for creating a cheap, clean and reliable energy system. Countries like Turkey are taking advantage of that.”
Turkey currently produces approximately 20% of its energy from wind and solar, surpassing any nation in the Middle East or Central Asia, though still below the European average. The country continues to support coal, which accounted for 34% of its electricity generation last year due to substantial subsidies.
Turkey aims to achieve 120GW of installed wind and solar capacity by 2035, up from the current 40GW. However, the 6.5GW added last year fell short of the 8GW required to meet this target.
An initial draft of Turkey’s agenda for the upcoming Cop31 summit, leaked to the Guardian, did not address the phasing out of fossil fuels, a topic extensively discussed at the previous summit in Brazil.
Alparslan pointed out that Turkey faces “several hurdles” in advancing its battery projects, including permit bottlenecks and reliance on spot electricity market prices. Additionally, Turkey’s substantial hydropower capacity reduces its immediate need for large batteries compared to Europe.
Despite these challenges, Alparslan concluded, “Turkey has nonetheless sent a strong investment signal that surpasses those of its European counterparts.”
Original Story at www.theguardian.com