The Impact of the Privatization Process of Energy Distribution Companies on Consumer Rights and Objection Mechanisms in Türkiye from the Perspective of International Law

Özge Güçlü Ünal; Sadullah Özel

The Impact of the Privatization Process of Energy Distribution Companies on Consumer Rights and Objection Mechanisms in Türkiye from the Perspective of International Law

Abstract

This study examines the effects of the privatization of energy distribution companies in Türkiye on consumer rights within the framework of international law. Privatization in the energy sector is often justified by macroeconomic goals, including the enhancement of efficiency, attraction of private investment, and reduction of public financial burdens. Yet, these processes directly affect consumers, particularly in relation to service quality, pricing policies, and equitable access to energy. Türkiye has made significant progress in harmonizing its legislation with international standards; however, the concrete consequences of privatization, especially regarding consumer protection, present critical legal challenges. While privatization may generate benefits such as increased competition and improved service delivery, it has also led to negative outcomes, including rising tariffs, inequalities in access, and frequent service interruptions. These developments highlight the importance of strengthening administrative and judicial remedies available to consumers. A consumer-focused legal framework, reinforced by independent regulatory bodies and effective appeal mechanisms, is essential to ensure fairness, price stability, and reliable service provision. Properly regulated, privatization can support more efficient and higher-quality energy services. Nevertheless, sustainable outcomes depend on the continuous improvement of oversight structures and the effective balancing of economic efficiency with the protection of consumer rights.

Keywords

References

Akalın, G. (1990). KİT Ekonomisi. Ankara: Yeniçağ Yayınları.
Aktürk, A. İ., & Umut, A. A. (2019). Tüketici Hakem Heyetleri ve İşleyişine Genel Bir Bakış. İstanbul Aydın Üniversitesi Hukuk Fakültesi Dergisi, 5(1), 25-54.
Akyüz, M., & Akgül, D. (2020). Serbest tüketici kavramı ve elektrik perakende satış şirketlerinin pazarlama stratejisi uygulamaları üzerine kavramsal bir çalışma. Çağ Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 17(1), 90-101.
Arslan, M. (2021). Tüketici Davranışları. Harran Üniversitesi, Birecik Meslek Yüksekokulu, Ders Notu.
Aslan, Y., Katırcıoğlu, E., Altınay, G., Ardıyok, Ş., Ilıcak, A., Gültekin, B., Önal, E., & Akçaoğlu, C. (2007). Enerji Hukuku Cilt I. Bursa: Ekin Kitabevi.
Ayrancı, H. (2010). Enerji Sözleşmeleri. Ankara: Yetkin Yayınları.
Bauer, J. M., & Herder, P. M. (2009). Designing Socio-Technical Systems. In Philosophy of Technology and Engineering Sciences (pp. 601-630). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-444-51667-1.50026-4
Biçen, Y. (2016). Türkiye Elektrik Enerjisi Piyasası Gelişim Süreci: gün Öncesi ve Dengeleme Güç Piyasası Özellikleri. Karaelmas Fen ve Mühendislik Dergisi, 6(2).

Cevizoğlu, H. (1988). Özelleştirme (KİT’lerin Satılışı). (Unpublished master's thesis). Ankara Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü.
Döner, K. (2017). Tüketici Mahkemelerinin Görevli Olduğu Uyuşmazlıklar. Dicle Üniversitesi Hukuk Fakültesi Dergisi, 22(36), 137-173.
Durgun, T. (2007). Enerji Sektöründe Tüketici Hakları. (Unpublished master's thesis). Kırıkkale Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü.
Erensü, S. (2018). Powering neoliberalization: Energy and politics in the making of a new Turkey. Energy Research & Social Science, 41, 148-157. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2018.04.037
Ergün, Ö. (2023). Tüketici Haklarının Uluslararası Ve Ulusal Gelişim Aşamaları. Dicle Üniversitesi Adalet Meslek Yüksekokulu Dicle Adalet Dergisi, 7(1), 53-92.
Ertilav, M., & Aktel, M. (2015). TEDAŞ (Türkiye Elektrik Dağıtım Anonim Şirketi) Özelleştirmesi. Uluslararası Alanya İşletme Fakültesi Dergisi, 7(2).
Gitelman, L., Kozhevnikov, M., & Visotskaya, Y. (2023). Diversification as a Method of Ensuring the Sustainability of Energy Supply within the Energy Transition. Resources, 12(2), 19. https://doi.org/10.3390/resources12020019
Kaygusuz, K. (2012). Energy for sustainable development: A case of developing countries. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 16(2), 1116-1126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2011.11.013
Kindström, D., & Ottosson, M. (2016). Local and regional energy companies offering energy services: Key activities and implications for the business model. Applied Energy, 171, 491-500. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.03.092
Lewis, N., & Shore, C. (2019). From unbundling to market making: reimagining, reassembling and reinventing the public university. Globalisation, Societies and Education, 17(1), 11-27. https://doi.org/10.1080/14767724.2018.1524287
Lukas, K. (2020). The European Social Charter. In C. Binder, J. A. Hofbauer, F. Piovesan, & A. Úbeda De Torres (Eds.), Research Handbook on International Law and Social Rights. Edward Elgar Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781788972130.00017
Nankani, G. (2005). Privatization and Deregulation: A Push Too Far? Economic Growth in the 1990s Learning from a Decade of Reform. World Bank Publication.
Omer, A. M. (2008). Energy, environment and sustainable development. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 12(9), 2265-2300. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2007.05.001
Orkunoğlu, I. F. (2010). Özelleştirme ve alternatifleri. Uluslararası Hakemli Sosyal Bilimler E-Dergisi, 22, 1-22.
Park, P. (2023). International Law for Energy and the Environment (3rd ed.). Boca Raton: CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003398721 Sayılır, A. (2024). **.
Sirmen, A. L. (2013). Tüketici Hukukunun Amacı Ve Özellikleri. 2465-2476.
Tur, M. R. (2022). Energy Supply Security and Artificial Intelligence Applications. Insight Turkey, 213-233. https://doi.org/10.25253/99.2022243.13
Umbach, F. (2010). Global energy security and the implications for the EU. Energy Policy, 38(3), 1229-1240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2009.01.010
Umbach, F. (2023). [Contextual reference implied].
World Bank. (2015). Turkey's Energy Transition: Milestones and Challenges. Washington, DC: World Bank.
Yılmaz, E. (2002). Ekonomik Perspektiften Kit’ler, Özelleştirme ve Uygulama. Ankara.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Electrical Engineering (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Özge Güçlü Ünal ^*
0009-0009-6321-3832
Türkiye

Sadullah Özel
0000-0003-4053-873X
Türkiye

Publication Date

December 31, 2025

Submission Date

October 3, 2025

Acceptance Date

December 16, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 6 Number: 2

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA72DB59SG

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Güçlü Ünal, Ö., & Özel, S. (2025). The Impact of the Privatization Process of Energy Distribution Companies on Consumer Rights and Objection Mechanisms in Türkiye from the Perspective of International Law. Journal of Engineering and Technology, 6(2), 9-21. https://izlik.org/JA72DB59SG

AMA

1.Güçlü Ünal Ö, Özel S. The Impact of the Privatization Process of Energy Distribution Companies on Consumer Rights and Objection Mechanisms in Türkiye from the Perspective of International Law. JETECH. 2025;6(2):9-21. https://izlik.org/JA72DB59SG

Chicago

Güçlü Ünal, Özge, and Sadullah Özel. 2025. “The Impact of the Privatization Process of Energy Distribution Companies on Consumer Rights and Objection Mechanisms in Türkiye from the Perspective of International Law”. Journal of Engineering and Technology 6 (2): 9-21. https://izlik.org/JA72DB59SG.

EndNote

Güçlü Ünal Ö, Özel S (December 1, 2025) The Impact of the Privatization Process of Energy Distribution Companies on Consumer Rights and Objection Mechanisms in Türkiye from the Perspective of International Law. Journal of Engineering and Technology 6 2 9–21.

IEEE

[1]Ö. Güçlü Ünal and S. Özel, “The Impact of the Privatization Process of Energy Distribution Companies on Consumer Rights and Objection Mechanisms in Türkiye from the Perspective of International Law”, JETECH, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 9–21, Dec. 2025, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA72DB59SG

ISNAD

Güçlü Ünal, Özge - Özel, Sadullah. “The Impact of the Privatization Process of Energy Distribution Companies on Consumer Rights and Objection Mechanisms in Türkiye from the Perspective of International Law”. Journal of Engineering and Technology 6/2 (December 1, 2025): 9-21. https://izlik.org/JA72DB59SG.

JAMA

1.Güçlü Ünal Ö, Özel S. The Impact of the Privatization Process of Energy Distribution Companies on Consumer Rights and Objection Mechanisms in Türkiye from the Perspective of International Law. JETECH. 2025;6:9–21.

MLA

Güçlü Ünal, Özge, and Sadullah Özel. “The Impact of the Privatization Process of Energy Distribution Companies on Consumer Rights and Objection Mechanisms in Türkiye from the Perspective of International Law”. Journal of Engineering and Technology, vol. 6, no. 2, Dec. 2025, pp. 9-21, https://izlik.org/JA72DB59SG.

Vancouver

1.Özge Güçlü Ünal, Sadullah Özel. The Impact of the Privatization Process of Energy Distribution Companies on Consumer Rights and Objection Mechanisms in Türkiye from the Perspective of International Law. JETECH [Internet]. 2025 Dec. 1;6(2):9-21. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA72DB59SG