Analyzing Turkey’s Energy Transition: Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

This chapter analyses the Turkish energy policy making from an energy security perspective, considering the policy trilemma that governments are currently facing. WEO’s energy trilemma index will be used as a basis for analyzing Turkey’s energy transition process, together with references to the European Union (EU) energy policy triangle. Turkey’s energy consumption is rapidly increasing, corresponding to economic growth and increasing population levels. It is certain that the decision to increase the share of natural gas had a direct impact on Turkey’s final energy consumption. Turkey’s natural gas consumption passed 50 billion cubic meters in 2014, doubling the levels of 2004. Compared to Turkey’s increasing energy consumption, the rate of hydro power electricity generation is lower than natural gas. However, it is important that these reforms should promote the transition to an energy market with a higher level of renewable energy. © 2017 Robert E. Looney for selection and editorial material and Routledge for other content.