Wind and solar power are overtaking coal in Turkey

In April 2026, wind and solar power in Turkey generated more electricity than coal for the first time. This marked a major milestone in the country’s energy transition, according to the energy think tank Ember.

According to Ember, wind and solar energy together accounted for 22.8 percent of electricity generation in April, surpassing coal’s 21 percent share. Overall, the share of renewable energy in electricity production rose to 71 percent—the highest level in 26 years. Heavy rainfall also contributed to this, significantly increasing hydropower production.

Solar energy also surpassed another symbolic milestone: for the first time, it generated more electricity than imported coal. Solar energy accounted for 13.1 percent, while imported coal contributed only 8.6 percent to electricity generation—the lowest monthly figure in nine years.

Hydropower benefits from heavy rainfall

According to Ember, hydropower production rose by 60 percent compared to the same month last year. Water inflows into the reservoirs of Turkey’s major river basins reached their highest level in eight years during the first four months of 2026.

“April 2026 marked a significant turning point in Turkey’s energy transition,” said Çağlar Çeliköz, an energy analyst at Ember.

“This development was driven both by the momentum in the expansion of wind and solar energy over the past five years and by increased hydropower production resulting from above-average rainfall,” he explained.

Turkey is increasingly focusing on renewable energy

Turkey has significantly expanded its investments in renewable energy in recent years to reduce its dependence on imported fossil fuels. These had long weighed on the country’s current account balance.

As part of its long-term energy strategy, the government plans to further expand renewable energy capacity. Solar energy, in particular, is growing rapidly due to falling costs for solar installations.

Çeliköz warned, however, that hydropower production remains heavily dependent on climatic conditions and precipitation patterns.

“The fluctuating nature of hydropower production leads to uncertainties regarding future generation volumes due to its dependence on climate and precipitation conditions,” he said.

“To ensure this historic success remains sustainable in the face of climate change, Turkey must further accelerate the expansion of wind and solar energy and diversify its renewable energy sources more broadly.”