ANKARA, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar on Saturday said Türkiye wants to cut its reliance on imported energy and produce more of its own supply.
Speaking at an energy meeting in the central city of Kayseri, Bayraktar said the country currently imports most of the energy it uses, including oil, natural gas, and coal.
"Türkiye imports two out of every three units of energy it uses," he said. "These prices are set outside the country."
He said reducing dependence on imports is important as demand for energy continues to grow.
"Without energy, the economy and industry cannot function," he said.
Bayraktar said the government is looking to expand a mix of energy sources, including renewables, domestic fossil fuel production, and nuclear power.
Official data show that Türkiye's solar power capacity has more than doubled since 2021, reaching over 21 gigawatts by early 2025. Wind power has also grown, while hydropower remains the country's largest source of electricity, with more than 32 gigawatts of capacity.
The government plans to further expand solar and wind power in the coming years, alongside other energy sources such as hydropower, geothermal, and biomass.
