Saudi-Turkish Agreement Targets 5,000MW Renewable Energy Expansion
New memorandum advances second phase of major renewable projects in Turkiye.
1Strategic Energy Cooperation
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan oversaw the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Saudi Arabia and Turkiye in Antalya. This agreement focuses on electricity project cooperation, involving Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman and Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar. The deal aims to bolster bilateral energy ties through large-scale infrastructure investments.
2Five Gigawatt Target
The framework agreement, originally signed in Riyadh on February 3 and effective since October 21, targets a total capacity of 5,000 megawatts. These projects are being implemented by the Saudi firm ACWA Power in two distinct phases. This initiative represents a significant commitment to expanding Turkiye's national renewable energy production capabilities.
3First Phase Progress
The first phase of the initiative is currently underway, focusing on solar energy projects with a combined capacity of 2,000 megawatts. These installations are situated in the provinces of Sivas and Karaman. Minister Bayraktar expressed satisfaction with the current implementation pace, noting that work is progressing steadily toward achieving these initial operational goals.
4Second Phase Expansion
The newly signed memorandum in Antalya specifically targets the remaining 3,000 megawatts of capacity. This second phase shifts focus toward wind power plants. These developments will be supported by advanced high-voltage direct current electricity transmission infrastructure and integrated battery energy storage systems, ensuring a more robust and reliable national energy grid network.
5Grid Infrastructure Enhancement
Beyond increasing raw generation capacity, the projects aim to enhance the flexibility of the Turkish electricity grid. By integrating battery storage and HVDC transmission, the infrastructure will better accommodate variable renewable energy sources. This technical upgrade is essential for maintaining grid stability as the country transitions toward a higher share of renewables.
6Diplomatic Context at COP31
The signing occurred during the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31) in Antalya. Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman attended the conference, which runs until November 20. This high-level meeting provided the platform to formalize the next steps in the ongoing Saudi-Turkish energy partnership.
7Investment Environment Confidence
Minister Bayraktar emphasized that these projects demonstrate international confidence in Turkey's energy transformation and investment climate. The government intends to continue converting this confidence into tangible, large-scale infrastructure projects. Saudi investments are viewed as a critical component in supporting the nation's broader strategic plans to significantly expand its clean energy capacity.
8Future Energy Outlook
The collaboration marks a deepening of strategic energy ties between the two nations. By combining Saudi investment capital with Turkish project implementation, both countries are positioning themselves to meet long-term sustainability goals. The success of these 5,000-megawatt projects will likely serve as a benchmark for future cross-border energy infrastructure development efforts.
Original article: Saudi Gazette — Saudi-Turkish Agreement Targets 5,000MW Renewable Energy Expansion