09.12.2025 16:56
The Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Alparslan Bayraktar, made noteworthy statements regarding electricity and natural gas bills. Minister Bayraktar stated that the annual consumption limit for the low tariff in electricity is set at 4,000 kilowatt-hours, and he mentioned that this figure could be lowered by one more step in 2026. He also said, "We are continuing to consider a similar application for natural gas, based on consumption, in 2026."
Bayraktar stated that Turkey has become a country with the fourth largest fleet in the world with its drilling and seismic vessels, and mentioned that the first phase of hydrocarbon exploration and production activities in the Black Sea has been completed.
"THIS YEAR WE WILL CONSUME 60 BILLION CUBIC METERS OF GAS"
Bayraktar pointed out that natural gas consumption in homes and industry has increased, and electricity production from natural gas has also risen, saying, "As of this year, we will consume approximately 60 billion cubic meters of gas." He indicated that by doubling production next year, the natural gas needs of about 8 million households could be met, stating, "Our target for 2028 is to achieve a daily production of 40 to 45 million cubic meters, to meet the natural gas needs of 16-17 million households with our own resources. The Black Sea gas is currently one of our most important national projects. Our efforts for Gabar oil are continuing intensively. We have a daily production of 80,000 barrels. Gabar reduces oil imports by at least 2 billion dollars. These are vital issues for us and our economy," he expressed.
NEW GOOD NEWS MAY COME FROM THE BLACK SEA
Bayraktar mentioned that efforts are ongoing for new good news in the energy sector, stating, "We plan to conduct 6 deep-sea drilling operations in the Black Sea this year. To do this, our 5th drilling vessel is currently in Turkey. It will likely be ready for operation by the beginning of 2026. With these 6 drillings in the Black Sea, we will search for oil and natural gas in the Western, Central, and Eastern Black Sea. Only after these can we expect good news," he evaluated.
"THERE IS NO RISK IN TURKEY'S NATURAL GAS SUPPLY SECURITY"
Bayraktar noted that the approximately 22 billion cubic meters of natural gas import contract, which will expire at the end of the year, has been extended for another year, stating, "In this sense, Turkey has extended the 21.75 billion cubic meters contract that will expire through TurkStream and Blue Stream for another year. There is no risk in Turkey's supply security in this regard. The gas in question will be purchased by BOTAŞ and brought to Turkey," he said. Emphasizing that Turkey's natural gas transmission network is quite strong, Bayraktar stated, "BOTAŞ currently has over 20,000 kilometers of transmission lines. The distribution side has grown through the private sector. This is one of Turkey's silent revolutions. To date, over 220,000 kilometers of natural gas distribution lines have been constructed."
"WE CAN TRADE OVER 10 BILLION CUBIC METERS OF GAS"
Bayraktar emphasized that Turkey's natural gas storage capacity is also rapidly increasing, stating, "Turkey's current storage capacity is 6.3 billion cubic meters. By the 2030s, we need to be able to store at least 20% of the gas we need. This is our goal."
He mentioned that Turkey aims to increase its daily gasification capacity from 161 million cubic meters to 200 million cubic meters, stating, "Two new FSRUs can enter our system. Therefore, with all these, Turkey's export opportunities will increase. It is crucial to buy and store gas at the right time and price to achieve this. However, we need to move a bit faster in storage," he evaluated. Bayraktar stated that Turkey has reached an infrastructure capable of supplying 70-80 billion cubic meters of gas annually, saying, "We are at a point where we can trade over 10 billion cubic meters of natural gas."
SUPPORT LIMITS ON ELECTRICITY BILLS MAY DECREASE
Bayraktar stated that the Last Resort Supply Tariff (SKTT) application has been revised for citizens above a certain income level, saying, "The decision made by EPDK is 4,000 kilowatt-hours. We may likely reduce this by one more tier in 2026."
BILLING FOR NATURAL GAS MAY ALSO CHANGE
Bayraktar mentioned that a similar structure will be implemented next year, stating, "There is an expected inflation of around 18-20%. Our price adjustments will also be in this context. Besides this, we are considering a SKTT-like application for natural gas, based on consumption, in 2026," he said.
"WE HAVE REACHED A LOCALIZATION OF APPROXIMATELY 10.6 BILLION DOLLARS AT AKKUYU NPP"
Bayraktar stated that the commissioning process of the first reactor of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) has been prolonged due to reasons such as the pandemic and delays in equipment coming from abroad, saying, "God willing, we will do this. It is very important and valuable to do the first one. Turkey is gaining significant knowledge and experience through this. As of the end of the second quarter of 2025, we have reached a localization of approximately 10.6 billion dollars at Akkuyu NPP. We are currently at 56% localization in the construction of the plant," he expressed.
Bayraktar mentioned that Turkey is trying to develop the nuclear energy sector from all branches, including small modular reactors, stating that there are countries being discussed for the nuclear power plant to be built in Sinop, but no agreement has been made yet. He recalled that they signed a memorandum of understanding with South Korea, saying, "We aim to reach a point by working intensively with them over the next 6 months." He also mentioned that discussions have been held with China regarding the nuclear power plant to be built in Thrace and that American companies are also interested in nuclear power plant projects in Turkey, stating, "Perhaps Sinop and Thrace can be established in this way with triple or quadruple consortiums."
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Bayraktar also mentioned the Renewable Energy Resource Areas (YEKA) competition for wind energy plants organized today by the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, stating, "A total contribution of 208 million euros was paid, and these tenders found 6 competition winners. An investment of 1.1 billion dollars will be made. Together with the YEKA GES competitions we held two weeks ago, a total contribution of 309 million euros has been achieved in these competitions. Our expectation from our investors is for these to be realized as soon as possible."
Emphasizing that the electricity infrastructure needs to be strengthened alongside energy investments, Bayraktar said, "TEİAŞ, our system operator, and distribution companies need to transition to a new system operation. They also need to update themselves. We are planning an investment of approximately 30 billion dollars in the transmission infrastructure across Turkey. These are important."
"IMPROVEMENTS WILL BE MADE IN LICENSE-FREE PROJECTS FOR SELF-CONSUMPTION"
Bayraktar stated that improvements will be made in license-free projects for self-consumption, saying, "In 2026, we aim to create space for investors who want to establish facilities primarily for rooftop applications and who are not obliged to sell excess electricity produced to the system."
Indicating that they aim to open capacity allocation for rooftop applications and self-consumption projects, Bayraktar shared, "The capacity allocation for hybrid facilities will also be within this scope. In wind power plants, we will go for new allocations in areas where technical capacity increases can be made within the existing installed power. Of course, there are also technical constraints, so there is no unlimited area."