Turkey - stuck in the twentieth century
Turkey enters 2017 with an energy strategy that looks increasingly anachronistic
The ill-effects of Turkey's failure to modernise its energy strategy could start to be felt in 2017. As economic growth and energy demand continue to accelerate, the country's strategy for meeting the needs of today's energy consumers looks more like one crafted for the previous century. Political stability, under the single-party government of President Tayyip Erdogan, seemed to establish a platform for energy-market reforms. But, since 2012, the will to modernise the country's energy strategy seems to have vanished. Now, the thrust of energy policy is boosting the share of domestic coal in the energy mix and curbing over-dependence on natural gas. Imported coal generated 15% of Turkey's el
Also in this section
2 April 2026
Alongside a rapid continued build-out of renewables, China’s latest five-year plan stresses the value of domestic hydrocarbon production for energy security and calls for increased Russian gas imports
2 April 2026
The government is taking important steps to revive domestic production, lift investment and benefit from the geopolitical crisis even if more needs to be done in the longer term
1 April 2026
Golden Pass’s startup offers QatarEnergy a timely boost but may also force a difficult choice between honouring disrupted contracts and capitalising on soaring spot LNG prices
1 April 2026
It is not a case of if or when, but the length and magnitude of economic damage from elevated oil prices
