Statements on COP31 and 2035 Strategy from Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar

In evaluations made within the scope of the COP31 summit, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar explained Turkey's 35 percent electrification target and nuclear energy investments within the framework of its 2035 strategy.

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar stated that the COP31 summit is a time to move from commitments to action, expressing that the 35 percent electrification target in 2035 is a critical and ambitious step in combating climate change. Highlighting Turkey's 2053 vision in line with the goals of making the world economy carbon-neutral in the 2050s, Bayraktar noted that expanding the Development Road route with pipelines is on the agenda.

Stating that agreements were signed at the summit in the fields of nuclear, renewable energy, storage, and transmission grids, Bayraktar drew attention to the cooperation carried out with Atkins in the nuclear field. He reported that investments of approximately 30 billion dollars are ongoing in the Akkuyu project, and that the technology selection stage has been reached for the Sinop and Thrace power plants. Bayraktar emphasized that nuclear energy is indispensable for supply security.

Minister Bayraktar conveyed that a tender is planned for offshore wind energy in early 2027, and that a 5,000 MW renewable energy agreement was signed with the Minister of Energy of Saudi Arabia. He also stated that in order to make Turkey independent in energy by 2040, they aim to increase the electrification rate in transportation from 1 percent to 24 percent, reaching 20 million electric vehicles.