Research Article

Comparative Evaluation of AI and Statistical Models for Forecasting Fossil Fuel Electricity Generation

Volume: 7 Number: 1 June 28, 2026
TR EN

Comparative Evaluation of AI and Statistical Models for Forecasting Fossil Fuel Electricity Generation

Abstract

Forecasting fossil fuel-based electricity generation remains important for energy planning, particularly in countries undergoing different stages of energy transition. Reliable forecasts can support decision-makers in balancing energy security concerns with long-term sustainability objectives. This study investigates the forecasting performance of several statistical and machine-learning approaches using annual fossil fuel electricity generation data from six countries: Türkiye, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Iran, and Ukraine. The dataset covers the period from 1985 to 2022 and includes countries with distinct energy structures and policy trajectories. Nine forecasting models were evaluated, including traditional statistical techniques (NAÏVE, AUTO.ARIMA, HOLT-WINTERS, ETS, THETAF, and TBATS) and neural network-based methods (NNETAR, MLP, and ELM). Model performance was assessed using rolling validation strategies and three commonly used error measures: RMSE, MAE, and MAPE. The results indicate that forecasting performance varies considerably across countries and depends on the underlying characteristics of each time series. Neural network-based models generally performed better in countries exhibiting more complex or irregular generation patterns, whereas conventional statistical methods remained competitive for relatively stable series. Among the evaluated approaches, ELM achieved the lowest forecasting errors for France and Ukraine, while AUTO.ARIMA and ETS provided highly accurate results for Iran. Rather than identifying a universally superior forecasting technique, the findings highlight the importance of selecting models according to the structural properties of national energy systems. The study provides a comparative perspective on fossil fuel electricity forecasting and offers insights that may support future energy planning and transition strategies.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Software Engineering (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

June 28, 2026

Submission Date

April 7, 2026

Acceptance Date

June 25, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 7 Number: 1

APA
Pala, Z. (2026). Comparative Evaluation of AI and Statistical Models for Forecasting Fossil Fuel Electricity Generation. Muş Alparslan Üniversitesi Mühendislik Mimarlık Fakültesi Dergisi, 7(1), 1-21. https://izlik.org/JA56TD73PN
AMA
1.Pala Z. Comparative Evaluation of AI and Statistical Models for Forecasting Fossil Fuel Electricity Generation. Muş Alparslan Üniversitesi Mühendislik Mimarlık Fakültesi Dergisi. 2026;7(1):1-21. https://izlik.org/JA56TD73PN
Chicago
Pala, Zeydin. 2026. “Comparative Evaluation of AI and Statistical Models for Forecasting Fossil Fuel Electricity Generation”. Muş Alparslan Üniversitesi Mühendislik Mimarlık Fakültesi Dergisi 7 (1): 1-21. https://izlik.org/JA56TD73PN.
EndNote
Pala Z (June 1, 2026) Comparative Evaluation of AI and Statistical Models for Forecasting Fossil Fuel Electricity Generation. Muş Alparslan Üniversitesi Mühendislik Mimarlık Fakültesi Dergisi 7 1 1–21.
IEEE
[1]Z. Pala, “Comparative Evaluation of AI and Statistical Models for Forecasting Fossil Fuel Electricity Generation”, Muş Alparslan Üniversitesi Mühendislik Mimarlık Fakültesi Dergisi, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 1–21, June 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA56TD73PN
ISNAD
Pala, Zeydin. “Comparative Evaluation of AI and Statistical Models for Forecasting Fossil Fuel Electricity Generation”. Muş Alparslan Üniversitesi Mühendislik Mimarlık Fakültesi Dergisi 7/1 (June 1, 2026): 1-21. https://izlik.org/JA56TD73PN.
JAMA
1.Pala Z. Comparative Evaluation of AI and Statistical Models for Forecasting Fossil Fuel Electricity Generation. Muş Alparslan Üniversitesi Mühendislik Mimarlık Fakültesi Dergisi. 2026;7:1–21.
MLA
Pala, Zeydin. “Comparative Evaluation of AI and Statistical Models for Forecasting Fossil Fuel Electricity Generation”. Muş Alparslan Üniversitesi Mühendislik Mimarlık Fakültesi Dergisi, vol. 7, no. 1, June 2026, pp. 1-21, https://izlik.org/JA56TD73PN.
Vancouver
1.Zeydin Pala. Comparative Evaluation of AI and Statistical Models for Forecasting Fossil Fuel Electricity Generation. Muş Alparslan Üniversitesi Mühendislik Mimarlık Fakültesi Dergisi [Internet]. 2026 Jun. 1;7(1):1-21. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA56TD73PN