Turkey plans 1,000 MW offshore wind project to start commissioning by 2030

Ibrahim Erden, president of the Turkish Wind Energy Association, announced that Turkey’s first 1,000-megawatt offshore wind Renewable Energy Resource Zone could be commissioned in stages from 2030 through 2032, provided the schedule stays on track. The tender for the project is slated for the first quarter of 2027, and the entire development phase may span four to six years. Besides adding significant capacity to the national grid, the project is intended to foster a new offshore wind ecosystem, creating opportunities for shipyards, equipment makers and related industries.

Erden noted that offshore wind farms typically cost between 2.5 and three times as much as onshore sites, estimating a $3 billion investment for the 1,000 MW project versus about $1 billion for an onshore counterpart. He also highlighted the potential for international financial institutions and partnership deals to bring foreign capital and technology to Turkey’s renewable sector.