Politics · Turkey · 16 hrs ago
Türkiye plans $80 billion in grid investment and 20 GW of nuclear power
Türkiye’s energy minister Alparslan Bayraktar outlined plans to expand the country’s power system and reduce reliance on energy imports.
The government expects to spend about $80 billion on the electricity grid by 2040, helping connect more renewable power and strengthen the network.
Renewables already make up more than 62% of Türkiye’s installed electricity capacity, while wind and solar together exceed 43 gigawatts.
Türkiye aims for 20 gigawatts of nuclear capacity by 2050, including large reactors and small modular ones.
The Akkuyu plant, being built with Russia’s Rosatom, has four planned reactors with a combined capacity of 4.8 gigawatts.
The first Akkuyu reactor is targeted to start operating in the coming months, and the plant is expected to supply about 10% of Türkiye’s electricity demand when fully running.
Bayraktar said grid upgrades and stronger energy links with neighbouring countries would support energy security and Türkiye’s regional role.
Türkiye plans to invest about $80 billion in its electricity grid by 2040, Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said.
The investment is intended to help connect more renewable energy, strengthen grid resilience and expand cross-border electricity trade.
Türkiye aims to reach 20 gigawatts of nuclear power capacity by 2050, including large reactors and small modular reactors.
The country’s current nuclear project, Akkuyu, has four reactors with a total capacity of 4.8 gigawatts.
Bayraktar said Türkiye wants to strengthen its role as a regional energy hub.
- Who
- Türkiye, represented by Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar.
- What
- The country plans about $80 billion in grid investment by 2040 and aims for 20 gigawatts of nuclear capacity by 2050.
- When
- Bayraktar announced the plans on October 23, 2026. The grid investment is planned by 2040 and the nuclear target by 2050.
- Where
- Bayraktar spoke at the 19th Verona Eurasian Economic Forum in Istanbul.
- Why
- Türkiye says the plans will help integrate more renewable power, strengthen energy security and expand cross-border electricity trade.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Bayraktar outlined the grid investment and nuclear power plans at a forum in Istanbul.
Türkiye plans to work closely with Rosatom to bring its first Akkuyu nuclear reactor into operation.
Türkiye expects to invest about $80 billion in its electricity grid.
Türkiye aims to reach 20 gigawatts of nuclear capacity.
- Grid investment
- About $80 billion by 2040
- Nuclear target
- 20 gigawatts by 2050
- Akkuyu capacity
- 4 reactors; 4.8 gigawatts total
- Renewables
- More than 62% of Türkiye’s installed electricity generation capacity
- Wind and solar
- Combined capacity has exceeded 43 gigawatts
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What people are saying
Our goal is to make Türkiye not only an important energy actor but also a reliable partner connecting regional energy markets.
These investments will help us integrate more renewable energy sources into the grid, maintain the resilience of the grid and expand cross-border electricity trade.
The long-term goal is to reach 20 gigawatts of nuclear capacity by 2050, including both large-scale reactors and small modular reactors.