ON
← Back to feed
Türkiye sees fastest power demand growth among IEA members
TR🏛️ PoliticsCenter9/7/2026

Türkiye sees fastest power demand growth among IEA members

Turkey's electricity demand grew at an average annual rate of approximately 5% between 2005 and 2024, making it the fastest-growing among IEA member countries, according to a report. This growth was primarily driven by economic activity in the industrial and services sectors. The National Energy Plan projects electricity consumption to reach 510 terawatt-hours by 2035. The IEA highlighted the need for expanded grids, energy storage, and system flexibility as renewable capacity increases. Residential consumption rose 14% from 2023 to 2024 due to increased use of air conditioning and electric appliances. Peak demand hit a record 59.5 gigawatts during a July 2025 heatwave. Renewables accounted for 43% of Turkey's electricity generation in 2025, with a target of 55% by 2035. Solar capacity is expected to grow from 20 GW to 77 GW, and wind from 13 GW to 43.1 GW. The smart grid roadmap includes 35 GW of flexible resources by 2035, including rooftop solar, storage, and demand-side management. Turkey also plans to expand electricity interconnections with neighbors, aiming to triple exports to 6.75 GW and quintuple imports to 6.6 GW.

Türkiye has recorded the fastest growth in electricity demand among International Energy Agency (IEA) member countries, with an average annual increase of nearly 5% between 2005 and 2024, according to the IEA’s Türkiye Energy Policy Review. This surge in demand has been largely driven by economic activity, especially in the industrial and services sectors. The country’s National Energy Plan forecasts electricity consumption to reach 510 terawatt-hours by 2035. Residential electricity use rose 14% from 2023 to 2024, fueled by higher usage of air conditioning and household appliances, along with the increasing electrification of heating and cooking in certain regions. During a heatwave in July 2025, peak electricity demand hit a record 59.5 gigawatts (GW). As renewable energy capacity expands, the IEA emphasized that grid infrastructure, energy storage, system flexibility and demand-side management will become crucial for maintaining reliable power supply. Renewable energy sources currently account for 43% of Türkiye’s total electricity generation, with projections indicating this share could rise to 55% by 2035. Solar power capacity is expected to expand from approximately 20 GW in 2024 to 77 GW by 2035, while wind capacity is set to grow from 13 GW to 43.1 GW. This rapid expansion will necessitate greater investment in grids and energy storage to accommodate rising demand. To manage this shift, Türkiye has outlined a smart grid road map aiming to create 35 GW of flexible resources by 2035. These include 10 GW from rooftop solar and storage, 10 GW from large-scale energy storage, 5 GW from grid management, and 10 GW from demand-side management. The country also plans to significantly boost its electricity interconnection capacity with neighbors, targeting tripling its export capacity to 6.75 GW and increasing import capacity fivefold to 6.6 GW. Additionally, Türkiye intends to construct 14,700 kilometers of high-voltage direct-current transmission lines. IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol highlighted the need for accelerated investments in grids, flexibility and energy efficiency to address the country’s growing electricity demand. Such efforts are expected to enhance energy security, bolster economic competitiveness and reduce reliance on volatile international fuel markets.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 2 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

Responsible editor: Matej BašaSpotted an error? Report it

2 reports

Daily Sabah logoDaily SabahParty-alignedCenterFactual 98Objective 959/7/2026
Türkiye sees fastest power demand growth among IEA members

Turkey's electricity demand grew at an average annual rate of approximately 5% between 2005 and 2024, making it the fastest-growing among IEA member countries, according to a report. This growth was primarily driven by economic activity in the industrial and services sectors. The National Energy Plan projects electricity consumption to reach 510 terawatt-hours by 2035. The IEA highlighted the need for expanded grids, energy storage, and system flexibility as renewable capacity increases. Residential consumption rose 14% from 2023 to 2024 due to increased use of air conditioning and electric appliances. Peak demand hit a record 59.5 gigawatts during a July 2025 heatwave. Renewables accounted for 43% of Turkey's electricity generation in 2025, with a target of 55% by 2035. Solar capacity is expected to grow from 20 GW to 77 GW, and wind from 13 GW to 43.1 GW. The smart grid roadmap includes 35 GW of flexible resources by 2035, including rooftop solar, storage, and demand-side management. Turkey also plans to expand electricity interconnections with neighbors, aiming to triple exports to 6.75 GW and quintuple imports to 6.6 GW.

Bias read (Center): The article presents data-driven information about Turkey's energy trends without overtly favoring any political ideology. While it discusses government planning and international reports, there is no clear ideological slant in the framing or emphasis. The focus remains on factual projections and IE

Why factuality (98): The article accurately reports the 5% average annual growth in electricity demand between 2005 and 2024, citing the IEA's Türkiye Energy Policy Review. It includes specific details such as the 14% increase in residential consumption from 2023 to 2024, peak demand reaching 59.5 GW in July 2025, and p

Why objectivity (95): The article presents the information in a largely neutral manner, using objective language and avoiding overt bias. While it mentions the drivers of demand growth, it does so without taking a stance or using emotionally charged terms. Minor framing choices like 'expansion' or 'critical' are standard

Hurriyet Daily News logoHurriyet Daily NewsParty-alignedCenterFactual 97Objective 969/7/2026
Türkiye posts fastest growth in electricity demand among IEA members

Turkey's electricity demand grew at an annual rate of nearly 5% between 2005 and 2024, making it the fastest-growing among IEA member countries. This growth is attributed to strong economic and population expansion, with projections indicating consumption could reach 510 terawatt-hours by 2035. The IEA report emphasizes that while renewable energy capacity is increasing, accounting for 43% of generation in 2025 and projected to reach 55% by 2035, the focus must shift toward grid infrastructure, storage, and demand-side management rather than just generation capacity. The report notes that industrial and service sector activities are driving demand, which could strain the power grid.

Bias read (Center): The article presents factual data about Turkey's energy trends without overt ideological framing. It discusses economic and demographic factors influencing energy demand, mentions renewable energy growth, and highlights challenges like grid infrastructure without taking sides on policy solutions. No

Why factuality (97): This article provides similar data points to the first, including the 5% annual growth in electricity demand, the projection of 510 TWh by 2035, and the 43% share of renewables in 2025. It references the IEA's Türkiye 2026 Energy Policy Review and aligns with the first article's content, suggesting

Why objectivity (96): The article maintains a neutral tone throughout, presenting facts without apparent bias. It uses standard reporting language and avoids subjective commentary. The focus is on summarizing the IEA findings without injecting personal opinion or emphasizing any particular perspective.

How each side covered it

The same event, grouped by the political lean of the outlets covering it.

How each side covered it

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Covered around the world

The same event as reported in other countries.

Covered around the world

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Claims check

Key factual claims, and how many sources assert vs dispute each.

Claims check

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Keep the news honest.

ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €4/month.

Become a Supporter

Related stories