Türkiye and Saudi Arabia are set to deepen their energy cooperation through a new 3,000-megawatt renewable energy agreement, which will take the total planned green energy capacity under their partnership to 5,000 MW.
Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar announced that the new agreement will build on an earlier 2,000-MW deal between the two countries. The additional agreement is expected to be formally signed on the sidelines of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), scheduled to take place in Antalya, Türkiye, in November.
The expanded renewable energy partnership comes as Türkiye continues to strengthen its energy infrastructure and reduce its dependence on imported energy. Bayraktar highlighted the country’s transformation over the past 24 years, noting that Türkiye’s installed electricity capacity has increased nearly fourfold, from around 32,000 MW to 126,000 MW.
Türkiye is now ranked third in Europe in terms of installed electricity capacity, power generation and electricity consumption, behind France and Germany. During the same period, the country’s domestic oil production has tripled, natural gas production has increased ninefold and mineral exports have grown tenfold.
Energy independence remains a key objective under Türkiye’s “Century of Türkiye” vision. Domestic oil and gas production is playing an important role in this strategy. Natural gas production from the Black Sea is expected to double this year and reach four times its current level by 2028. At that stage, domestic production is projected to provide gas to around 17 million households.
Oil production at the Gabar field in southeastern Türkiye has also exceeded 83,000 barrels per day. Bayraktar said improved regional security has supported employment and economic development. Türkiye is also conducting exploration activities in Diyarbakır, where unconventional oil resources could potentially produce two to three times the output of the Gabar field.
The country is simultaneously seeking to strengthen its position as a regional energy hub. Türkiye is discussing the transportation of Iraqi oil through the Ceyhan terminal, as well as potential routes for Qatari gas and Kuwaiti oil.
It is also pursuing joint onshore and offshore oil and gas exploration opportunities in Pakistan. Alongside these initiatives, the growing renewable energy partnership with Saudi Arabia reflects Türkiye’s broader strategy to diversify energy sources, strengthen regional energy security and expand its role as an energy bridge connecting resource-rich countries with European and global markets.
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