‘Leveraging Scandinavian expertise: How Turkiye can enhance its renewable energy capacity by 50%’

In his acclaimed book, “The New Map: Energy, Climate, and the Clash of Nations”, Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Daniel Yergin, insightfully observes, “Energy transitions are not just about fuel; they are about how we live, how our economies function, and how we respond to the central challenge of our time—climate change.” This profound statement underscores that the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy is not merely a technological change, but a fundamental transformation that will shape our societies and economies. As nations navigate this pivotal transition, international cooperation becomes essential, particularly for countries like Turkiye, which stands to gain significantly from partnering with global leaders in renewable energy.

As the world faces increasing environmental and economic pressures, the need for a collective global effort to transition away from fossil fuels has never been more apparent. The move towards renewable energy is critical in mitigating climate change and reducing dependency on finite resources. For Turkiye, a growing energy market with significant renewable potential, cooperating with Scandinavian countries—pioneers in green energy—offers the chance to accelerate its transition and enhance energy security. Scandinavian nations, including Denmark, Sweden and Norway, possess advanced technologies, robust policy frameworks and vast experience in renewable energy deployment that can be instrumental for Turkiye’s clean energy ambitions.

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The global need for cooperation in phasing out fossil fuels

The global community recognises that phasing out fossil fuels is essential to limit global warming to 1.5°C, as outlined in the Paris Agreement. Fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and gas, account for around 75 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. However, transitioning from these carbon-intensive energy sources to renewables like solar, wind and hydropower requires international collaboration, especially in terms of technology sharing, investment and grid integration.

Countries cannot make this shift in isolation. A successful energy transition hinges on partnerships that transcend borders and blend the strengths of different nations. In this context, Turkiye’s potential in renewable energy can be unlocked through cooperation with Scandinavian countries, whose renewable energy sectors have been at the forefront of innovation for decades.

Turkiye’s renewable energy potential: unlocking growth

Turkiye has made remarkable progress in renewable energy, with renewables comprising 52 per cent of its electricity generation in 2022. The country’s rich natural resources include solar, wind, geothermal and hydropower. Turkiye’s location offers vast opportunities for renewable energy development, especially in solar and wind.

For example:

• Solar Energy: Turkiye has some of the highest solar radiation levels in Europe, particularly in the regions of Central Anatolia and south-eastern Anatolia. With an average solar potential of 1,500 kWh/m² per year, the country’s solar power capacity is expected to reach 15 GW by 2030.
• Wind Energy: The Aegean, Marmara and Mediterranean coasts present ideal conditions for wind power. With wind speeds reaching 8 m/s or more, Turkiye could develop significant onshore and offshore wind projects.

However, to fully realise this potential, Turkiye needs technological advancements, grid infrastructure upgrades and financial investment—all areas where Scandinavian countries excel.

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Scandinavia: A global leader in renewable energy

Scandinavian countries are among the global leaders in renewable energy. Each nation has made significant strides in different sectors of clean energy:

• Denmark: Denmark leads the world in wind energy production, with wind power accounting for nearly 50 per cent of its electricity consumption. Denmark’s Ørsted, a global renewable energy company, has been at the forefront of offshore wind technology, and the country is home to Horns Rev 3, one of the world’s largest offshore wind farms, with a capacity of 406 MW.
• Sweden: Sweden has set ambitious renewable energy targets, aiming to become 100 per cent renewable by 2040. It is a global leader in solar energy storage and grid integration technologies. The Northvolt gigafactory in Sweden is one of Europe’s largest battery production facilities, offering state-of-the-art energy storage solutions crucial for integrating intermittent renewables like solar and wind.
• Norway: Norway is the largest hydropower producer in Europe, with 98 per cent of its electricity coming from hydropower. In recent years, Norway has also been developing floating offshore wind farms, such as the Hywindproject, which uses innovative floating wind turbine technology in deep waters.

The technological expertise of these countries can provide Turkiye with the tools and know-how to overcome challenges in renewable energy integration and scalability.

Bilateral agreements: Strengthening ties for a green future

Turkiye and Scandinavian countries already have strong diplomatic and economic ties, which provide a foundation for enhanced collaboration in renewable energy.

Turkiye-Denmark renewable energy MoU

In 2019, Turkiye and Denmark signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote cooperation in renewable energy, particularly in wind power. Denmark’s expertise in offshore wind presents a unique opportunity for Turkiye to develop its offshore wind capacity in areas such as the Aegean Sea, where wind speeds are strong and consistent. Collaboration with Danish companies like Vestas and Ørsted could help Turkiye build large-scale offshore wind farms that can provide clean electricity to millions of homes.

Turkiye-Sweden cooperation in energy efficiency

Turkiye and Sweden have signed various agreements over the years, including cooperation on energy efficiency and clean energy technologies. Swedish companies, such as ABB, are known for their advanced grid integration and automation solutions. These technologies could help Turkiye modernise its energy grid and incorporate more renewable energy sources without compromising reliability.

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Turkiye-Norway offshore wind partnership

Norway’s growing expertise in floating offshore wind technology could be highly beneficial for Turkiye’s renewable energy ambitions. The deep waters of the Mediterranean Sea are well-suited for floating wind farms, similar to Norway’s Hywind Scotland, the world’s first floating wind farm. Collaboration with Norway could help Turkiye pioneer floating wind projects in the Mediterranean, providing a new source of renewable energy.

Specific locations for joint renewable projects

Turkiye’s diverse geography offers numerous locations for renewable energy projects, and Scandinavian expertise can be a driving force in these developments:

• Aegean and Mediterranean Coasts: These regions are ideal for offshore wind farms. Denmark’s experience with offshore wind could be applied in areas such as Cesme and Bodrum, where wind speeds exceed 7.5 m/s.
• Central Anatolia: This region, with its high solar radiation, is perfect for large-scale solar energy projects. Sweden’s advances in solar energy storage and grid management could help Turkiye optimise solar generation in cities like Konya and Kayseri.
• Black Sea Region: Norway’s expertise in hydropower could be used to expand and modernise Turkiye’s hydropower infrastructure in the Black Sea region, while also integrating wind energy from nearby coastal areas like Sinop.

The strategic imperative for cooperation

The transition away from fossil fuels is not just a technological shift—it is a global, cooperative effort that requires countries to share knowledge, resources and innovations. For Turkiye, partnering with Scandinavian countries offers immense benefits in terms of technology transfer, investment opportunities and renewable energy project development. Bilateral agreements, such as those with Denmark, Sweden and Norway, provide a framework for deepening collaboration and building a greener future.

By tapping into Scandinavia’s vast expertise in wind, solar and hydropower, Turkiye can accelerate its energy transition, reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and become a leader in the global renewable energy landscape. Together, these nations can chart a course toward a sustainable, resilient energy future—one that addresses the pressing challenges of climate change and energy security for generations to come.

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The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.