Turkiye sees fastest power demand growth among IEA members

Türkiye experienced the fastest growth in power demand among International Energy Agency (IEA) members between 2005 and 2024, with electricity consumption rising at an average annual rate of about 5%, according to a report. The surge was primarily fueled by economic activity, especially in the industrial and services sectors, as highlighted in the IEA's Türkiye Energy Policy Review.

Electricity demand is projected to keep increasing over the next few years, with Türkiye's National Energy Plan predicting consumption to reach 510 terawatt-hours by 2035.

The IEA emphasized that grids, energy storage, system flexibility, and demand-side management will become increasingly crucial as renewable capacity expands. Residential electricity consumption surged 14% from 2023 to 2024, fueled by increased use of air conditioning and electrical appliances, along with the electrification of heating and cooking in certain regions. In July 2025, a heat wave saw peak electricity demand hit a record 59.5 gigawatts (GW).

Renewable energy sources are set to play a bigger role in accommodating Türkiye's growing electricity demand. Renewables contributed to 43% of the country's total electricity generation in 2025, with the IEA aiming for this share to rise to 55% by 2035. Solar power capacity is forecasted to surge from around 20 GW in 2024 to 77 GW by 2035, while wind capacity is expected to climb from 13 GW to 43.1 GW.

The IEA stressed that this rapid expansion will necessitate improved flexibility throughout the electricity system, coupled with investments in grids and energy storage. To achieve this, Türkiye's smart grid roadmap aims to generate a total of 35 GW of flexible resources by 2035, ensuring reliable electricity delivery and availability when demand peaks.