Turkey has announced a significant renewable energy tender aimed at accelerating the country’s clean energy transition. The initiative seeks to develop 900MW of solar photovoltaic capacity and 1.5GW of wind energy capacity across designated Renewable Energy Resource Areas (YEKAs) distributed throughout the nation.
Application Timeline and Tender Features
Prospective developers can submit applications for both solar and wind projects beginning 13th October 2026. An important feature of this renewable energy tender involves flexible market access. Upon contract award, renewable energy operators will initially have the opportunity to sell generated power on the open market before transitioning to long-term power purchase agreements. Solar project operators are permitted to engage in open market sales for 60 months following tender signature, while wind operators receive a 72-month window before their power purchase agreement takes effect.
Regional Distribution and Capacity Allocation
The Turkish renewable energy tender distributes projects across multiple YEKAs strategically selected as priority zones for renewable deployment. Solar applications must be submitted for ten distinct YEKAs, with capacity allocation reflecting regional development priorities.
Ankara, positioned as the central focus area, will receive 370MW of new solar capacity distributed across two projects. Mardin and Malatya will each host two new solar installations, with combined capacities of 150MW and 95MW respectively. Kahramanmaraş distinguishes itself as the only YEKA designated for three separate solar photovoltaic projects under this tender cycle.
The wind component of this renewable energy tender encompasses 1.5GW distributed across four YEKAs. Balıkesir YEKA in western Turkey receives the majority allocation, with 685MW of new wind capacity made available for development.
Long-Term Renewable Energy Strategy
“We will continue to hold solar and wind tenders totalling at least 2,000MW every year,” said Bayraktar. He characterized the renewable energy tender as providing new impetus to the nation’s renewable energy sector. The current tender aligns with capacity awards from a previous tender, which distributed 800MW. These allocations support Turkey’s objective to achieve 77GW of operational solar photovoltaic capacity by 2035.
2035 Renewable Energy Targets and Market Deployment
Turkey aims to deploy 120GW of combined solar and wind capacity by 2035.
“We will reach our target of 120,000MW for solar and wind energy, where we have significant potential, in a shorter time than planned for 2035. With the 2026 YEKA tenders, we are opening a new investment period in renewable energy,” Bayraktar said.
