A view of Aydem Renewable Energy's Usak Hybrid SPP, Turkiye's largest hybrid solar power plant on the occasion of World Renewable Energy Day, at Banaz district in Usak, Turkiye on June 7, 2024. With an installed capacity of 209.65 MW, the Usak plant meets the energy needs of approximately 300,000 households annually. Featuring unique purple-colored wind turbines that blend harmoniously with nature, the plant is the first of its kind in Turkiye and the world. Through R&D studies and scientific research, the company discovered that birds perceive purple as a less attractive color and that it deters the insects they feed on. By painting the turbine blades purple, the company prevents birds from colliding with the blades, achieving an internationally award-winning corporate social responsibility milestone. Photo Credit: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Environment TürkiyeSolar Energy Production Surged by <em>40%</em> in Only a Year!
In a single year, Türkiye increased its solar energy generation by more than 40%, thus proving that this renewable source of energy can meet future electricity needs sustainably and cost-effectively.
Between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. — coinciding with when the industry and service sector, public buildings, and households all see their highest activity and frequently need to use energy – intensive devices like air conditioners — electricity generation from solar energy reaches its highest levels. On July 23, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., consumption reached its annual peak due to cooling needs.
Solar met hourly peak demand for 10 million people, generating more than 10 gigawatts/hour (GWh) of electricity in peak hour; solar met 70% of the 8.7 GWh peak demand since 2019, proving its ability to meet rising demand driven by increasing cooling needs; and peak electricity demand supplied by solar increased from 2.5% in 2017 to 18% in 2024. As of 2024, Türkiye has already over 14 GW of solar energy capacity with storage in pre-licensing stages, exceeding by far the 2030 target of 201 GW specified in the National Energy Plan. Therefore, Türkiye’s energy grid will be even more flexible and will facilitate the integration of more solar capacity into the system by storing future excess generation for use when needed.
