Turkey emerged as Europe’s second-largest installer of new onshore wind capacity in 2025, adding 2.1 GW during the year, a 64% increase from 1.3 GW in 2024, according to WindEurope’s European Statistics 2025 report. A total of 467 turbines were installed, with an average capacity of 4.6 MW per unit. The expansion lifted Turkey’s total installed wind capacity to 15.9 GW, placing it among Europe’s top six wind markets.
Source: WindEurope
While the headline figure reflects strong momentum in renewable energy, the broader implications extend beyond electricity generation. Energy independence remains a strategic priority in Ankara, and recent regulatory changes suggest that wind power is being positioned as a structural pillar of industrial policy. In 2025, the government introduced a so-called “Super Permit” framework aimed at reducing preliminary licensing times for renewable projects from as long as 48 months to roughly 15 months. Major investments in the electricity transmission network have also been announced, signaling a long-term commitment to grid expansion.
Turkey is expected to add nearly 11 GW of additional onshore wind capacity by 2030, bringing total onshore installations to over 26 GW. The country has set a broader target of 120 GW of combined wind and solar capacity by 2035. If realized, this would significantly alter the country’s power mix.
The acceleration of wind installations also carries industrial consequences, particularly for the steel sector. Onshore wind turbines are steel-intensive assets. Industry estimates suggest that a single turbine can contain roughly 250–400 tons of steel, primarily in the tower structure. Based on 2025 installation figures, this implies well over 100,000 tons of steel demand linked to new wind projects alone.
More importantly, renewable expansion affects cost competitiveness. Turkey’s steel industry relies heavily on electric arc furnace (EAF) production, which depends on a stable and affordable electricity supply. As renewable capacity grows, long-term electricity pricing stability could improve, indirectly supporting energy-intensive industries.
The renewable push also intersects with Europe’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). The European Commission has confirmed that the transitional reporting phase continues through 2025, with financial obligations beginning in 2026. As carbon intensity becomes increasingly material for exporters, a cleaner domestic power mix may strengthen Turkey’s position in the EU steel market.
Turkey’s wind expansion, therefore, is not solely an environmental story. It increasingly appears tied to industrial resilience, export strategy, and long-term competitiveness in a more regulated global trade environment.
Sources: https://windeurope.org/data/products/wind-energy-in-europe-2025-statistics-and-the-outlook-for-2026-2030/
Official Document on the Super Permit: https://enerji.gov.tr/duyuru-detay?id=30589
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GÖNÜLTAŞ, Mehmet（Reporter）
Freelance journalist based in Istanbul, Turkey. He writes on international relations and diplomacy, with a focus on Japan–Turkey relations, military affairs, and democratic governance. His hobbies are running, language study, and traveling.
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