BibTex RIS Cite

Two Steps Forward, One Step Back: How Politics Dim the Lights on Turkey’s Renewable Energy Future

Year 2013, Volume: 18 Issue: 4, 71 - 98, 01.01.2013

Abstract

This paper analyses the politics of renewable energy in Turkey by discussing the opportunities as well as the constraints facing decision makers in their attempt to create an attractive renewable energy investment environment. A careful study of Turkey’s energy policy demonstrates that the main challenge to renewable energy reforms in Turkey is not technological or even financial but rather political. Despite external pressures for reform, political stability, favourable public opinion, and a certain level of civic activism in support of renewable energy, the Turkish government has not been able to reduce the dominance of fossil fuels in its energy policy. Populist decision making, geostrategic calculations and a political reluctance to reduce the state’s dominance in the energy sector have led to the slow and limited development of renewable resources. Lack of vision and forward planning in the bureaucracy as well as collective action problems among business and environmental groups have also contributed to the inertia that is preventing a radical shift in Turkey’s energy orientation. This analysis is important for dissecting policymaking in Turkey over an issue that has significant repercussions for development and economic welfare as well as national security It is also valuable in terms of outlining some of the political barriers countries generally face in the promotion of renewable energy.

References

  • Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21), Renewables 2011 Global Status Report, Paris, REN21 Secretariat, 2011.
  • International Energy Agency (IEA), “Energy Policies of IEA Countries: Turkey 2009 Review”, at http://www.iea.org/textbase/nppdf/free/2009/turkey2009.pdf [last visited 10 August 2013].
  • Ulrich Zachau, “Turkey’s Energy Agenda- Some Possible Directions”, Strategic Technical Economic Research Center (STEAM) 13th Energy Arena: Game Changing Energy Dynamics in the World and in Turkey, 8-9 September 2011, Istanbul.
  • CIA World Factbook, “Country Comparison: Current Account Deficit (2011 estimates)”, at https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2187rank.html [last visited 25 July 2013]. 5 Ibid.
  • Zachau, “Turkey’s Energy Agenda”.
  • Giulio Volpi, “Renewable Energy for Developing Countries: Challenges and Opportunities”, in Volkmar Lauber (ed.), Switching to Renewable Power: A Framework for the 21st Century, London, Earthscan, 2005, p. 88.
  • Arif Hepbaşlı and Önder Özgener, “Turkey’s Renewable Energy Sources: Part 1- Historical Development”, Energy Sources, Vol. 26, No. 10 (2004), pp. 961-969.
  • Ibid.; Ahmet Koyun, “Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy: Turkey- National Study’s Summary”, UNEP Mediterranean and National Strategies for Sustainable Development, at http://www.planbleu.org/publications/atelier_energie/TR_Summary.pdf [last visited 15 December 2013].
  • Hasan Saygın and Füsun Çetin, “New Energy Paradigm and Renewable Energy: Turkey’s Vision”, Insight Turkey, Vol. 12, No. 3 (July-September 2010), pp. 107-128.
  • Ayesha K. Waheed, Ekin Erdoğan and Erdoğan Fidan, “Turkish Renewable Energy: Blowing in the Right Direction?”, IP Opinion, at http://www.lw.com/upload/pubContent/_pdf/ pub2585_1.pdf [last visited 12 September 2013].
  • PWC, “On the Sunny Side of the Street”.
  • Deloitte Turkey, “New Life for Renewable Energy Resources: Renewable Energy Policies and Expectations”, 2011.
  • Taner Yıldız, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, The Presentation of the Ministry’s Budget for the Year 2011 at the Plenary Session of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM).
  • PWC, “On the Sunny Side of the Street: Opportunities and Challenges in the Turkish Renewable Energy Market”.
  • Waheed, Erdoğan and Fidan, “Turkish Renewable Energy”.
  • Susanne Fowler, “Turkey Lays the Foundation for an Alternative Energy Rush”, The New York Times, 20 October 2009.
  • Enis Tayman, “Yenilenebilir Enerji Fiyatları Yatırımcıları Tatmin Etmedi”, at http://www. referansgazetesi.com/haber.aspx?HBR_KOD=121285&_KOD= [last visited 22 August 2013]. Also, author’s interview with Arkin Akbay (director of the Power and Gas Group at Turcas Petrol) in Istanbul on 2 November 2011.
  • Ayşe Yüksel and Turgut Cankorel, “Renewable Energy: Reaching Full Potential”, Supplement- Turkey Guide 2011, 1 July 2011.
  • Fatma Canka Kılıç, “Recent Renewable Energy Developments, Studies, Incentives in Turkey”, Energy Education Science and Technology Part A: Energy Science and Research, Vol. 28, No.1 (2011), pp. 37-54; Şenol Tunç, “Proje Enerji”, in his speech at The Union of Chamber of Turkish Engineers and Architects 8th Energy Symposium in Istanbul on 19 November 2011, stated that “the law was created to kill the solar industry in Turkey”.
  • Zerrin Taç Altuntaşoğlu, “Wind Energy in Turkey: Current Situation and Issues”, The Union of Chamber of Turkish Engineers and Architects 8th Energy Symposium, Istanbul, 18 November 2011.
  • Tamer Çetin and Fuat Oğuz, “The Politics of Regulation in the Turkish Electricity Market”, Energy Policy, Vol. 35, No. 3 (2007), pp. 1761-1770.
  • Marcie J. Patton, “The Economic Policies of Turkey’s AKP Government: Rabbits from a Hat?”, Middle East Journal, Vol. 60, No. 3 (Summer 2006), pp. 513-36.
  • In May 2009, the World Bank provided US $600 million from its Clean Technology Fund Financing for the renewable energy investments in Turkey.
  • Luigi Carafa, “How Far Does the European Union Influence Turkey’s Energy Sector Reform?”, Italian Political Science Association 24th Annual Conference, Venice, Italy, 16-18 September 2010.
  • Patton, “The Economic Policies of Turkey’s AKP Government”; Ziya Öniş and Fikret Şenses, Turkey and the Global Economy: Neo-Liberal Restructuring and Integration in the Post-Crisis Era, London, Routledge, 2009.
  • Ziya Öniş, “The Triumph of Conservative Globalism: The Political Economy of the AKP Era”, Turkish Studies, Vol. 13, No. 2 (June 2012).
  • Author’s interview with Faruk Sabuncu (partner in PricewaterHouseCoopers) in Istanbul on 25 November 2011.
  • in electricity, the government also announced that the price of natural gas was raised in the
  • range of 12.28% to 14.30%.
  • Similar monopolistic problem exists in the coal sector as well. Especially, the hard coal sector in Turkey receives very significant state support. For instance, in 2008 the treasury injected a subsidy of US $400 million to the Turkish Hard Coal Enterprises (TTK), which is state- owned. The private sector share in coal production accounts for only around 10% of total production. See, IEA, “Energy Policies of IEA Countries: Turkey 2009 Review”.
  • Çetin and Oğuz, “The Politics of Regulation in the Turkish Electricity Market”, pp. 1761-70. 47 Ibid.
  • Necla Yilmaz, “Yenilenebilir Enerji Kavgasi”, Dünya Gazetesi, 18 October 2004.
  • Greenpeace International and European Energy Council, Energy Revolution: A Sustainable Turkey Energy Outlook, p. 5.
  • IEA, “Energy Policies of IEA Countries: Turkey 2009 Review”.
  • Greenpeace International and European Energy Council, Energy Revolution: A Sustainable Turkey Energy Outlook.
  • Erkan Erdoğdu, “Turkish Support to Kyoto Protocol: A Reality or Just an Illusion”, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 14, No. 3 (April 2010), pp. 1111-1117.
  • “Climate Negotiator Rende: Turkey Ready to do its part on Climate Change”, Today’s Zaman, 8 January 2012.
  • Author’s interview with Irmak Bademli (manager of Tax Services in PricewaterHouseCoopers) in Istanbul on 25 November 2011.
  • Daniel Silva, “Clouds Gather Over Spain’s Renewables Sector As Aid Cut”, AFP (Agence- France Presse), 2 February 2012.
  • “YEK Degisiklik Teklifi Bir Kez Daha Bekleme Odasinda”, at http://www.yenienerji. info/?pid=24270 [last visited 8 November 2013].
  • Author’s interview with Sibel Çetinkaya (partner in charge of Energy and Natural Resources at Deloitte Turkey) in Istanbul on 15 November 2011.
  • Author’s interview with Zeki Aybar Eriş.
  • Hasan Okur, “Turkey: Current Legal Status of the Wind Energy License Applications Made Prior to Nov.1 2007”, GSIMERIDIAN Attorneys Counselors, at http://www.mondaq.com/ article.asp?articleid=104018 [last visited 5 August 2013].
  • Roberta Davenport, “Turkish Energy Sector Chasing Windmills and Profits”, Today’s Zaman, 12 October 2008.
  • Okur, “Turkey: Current Legal Status of the Wind Energy License Applications Made Prior to Nov.1 2007”.
  • Author’s interview with Sibel Cetinkaya.
  • Author’s interview with Irmak Bademli.
  • Author’s interview with Zeki Aybar Eris.
  • Sinan Erensu, “Problematizing Green Energy: Small Hydro Plant Developments in Turkey”, paper presented at ESEE 2011 Conference, Istanbul, 14-18 June 2011.
  • Fowler, “Turkey Lays the Foundation for an Alternative Energy Rush”.
Year 2013, Volume: 18 Issue: 4, 71 - 98, 01.01.2013

Abstract

References

  • Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21), Renewables 2011 Global Status Report, Paris, REN21 Secretariat, 2011.
  • International Energy Agency (IEA), “Energy Policies of IEA Countries: Turkey 2009 Review”, at http://www.iea.org/textbase/nppdf/free/2009/turkey2009.pdf [last visited 10 August 2013].
  • Ulrich Zachau, “Turkey’s Energy Agenda- Some Possible Directions”, Strategic Technical Economic Research Center (STEAM) 13th Energy Arena: Game Changing Energy Dynamics in the World and in Turkey, 8-9 September 2011, Istanbul.
  • CIA World Factbook, “Country Comparison: Current Account Deficit (2011 estimates)”, at https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2187rank.html [last visited 25 July 2013]. 5 Ibid.
  • Zachau, “Turkey’s Energy Agenda”.
  • Giulio Volpi, “Renewable Energy for Developing Countries: Challenges and Opportunities”, in Volkmar Lauber (ed.), Switching to Renewable Power: A Framework for the 21st Century, London, Earthscan, 2005, p. 88.
  • Arif Hepbaşlı and Önder Özgener, “Turkey’s Renewable Energy Sources: Part 1- Historical Development”, Energy Sources, Vol. 26, No. 10 (2004), pp. 961-969.
  • Ibid.; Ahmet Koyun, “Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy: Turkey- National Study’s Summary”, UNEP Mediterranean and National Strategies for Sustainable Development, at http://www.planbleu.org/publications/atelier_energie/TR_Summary.pdf [last visited 15 December 2013].
  • Hasan Saygın and Füsun Çetin, “New Energy Paradigm and Renewable Energy: Turkey’s Vision”, Insight Turkey, Vol. 12, No. 3 (July-September 2010), pp. 107-128.
  • Ayesha K. Waheed, Ekin Erdoğan and Erdoğan Fidan, “Turkish Renewable Energy: Blowing in the Right Direction?”, IP Opinion, at http://www.lw.com/upload/pubContent/_pdf/ pub2585_1.pdf [last visited 12 September 2013].
  • PWC, “On the Sunny Side of the Street”.
  • Deloitte Turkey, “New Life for Renewable Energy Resources: Renewable Energy Policies and Expectations”, 2011.
  • Taner Yıldız, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, The Presentation of the Ministry’s Budget for the Year 2011 at the Plenary Session of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM).
  • PWC, “On the Sunny Side of the Street: Opportunities and Challenges in the Turkish Renewable Energy Market”.
  • Waheed, Erdoğan and Fidan, “Turkish Renewable Energy”.
  • Susanne Fowler, “Turkey Lays the Foundation for an Alternative Energy Rush”, The New York Times, 20 October 2009.
  • Enis Tayman, “Yenilenebilir Enerji Fiyatları Yatırımcıları Tatmin Etmedi”, at http://www. referansgazetesi.com/haber.aspx?HBR_KOD=121285&_KOD= [last visited 22 August 2013]. Also, author’s interview with Arkin Akbay (director of the Power and Gas Group at Turcas Petrol) in Istanbul on 2 November 2011.
  • Ayşe Yüksel and Turgut Cankorel, “Renewable Energy: Reaching Full Potential”, Supplement- Turkey Guide 2011, 1 July 2011.
  • Fatma Canka Kılıç, “Recent Renewable Energy Developments, Studies, Incentives in Turkey”, Energy Education Science and Technology Part A: Energy Science and Research, Vol. 28, No.1 (2011), pp. 37-54; Şenol Tunç, “Proje Enerji”, in his speech at The Union of Chamber of Turkish Engineers and Architects 8th Energy Symposium in Istanbul on 19 November 2011, stated that “the law was created to kill the solar industry in Turkey”.
  • Zerrin Taç Altuntaşoğlu, “Wind Energy in Turkey: Current Situation and Issues”, The Union of Chamber of Turkish Engineers and Architects 8th Energy Symposium, Istanbul, 18 November 2011.
  • Tamer Çetin and Fuat Oğuz, “The Politics of Regulation in the Turkish Electricity Market”, Energy Policy, Vol. 35, No. 3 (2007), pp. 1761-1770.
  • Marcie J. Patton, “The Economic Policies of Turkey’s AKP Government: Rabbits from a Hat?”, Middle East Journal, Vol. 60, No. 3 (Summer 2006), pp. 513-36.
  • In May 2009, the World Bank provided US $600 million from its Clean Technology Fund Financing for the renewable energy investments in Turkey.
  • Luigi Carafa, “How Far Does the European Union Influence Turkey’s Energy Sector Reform?”, Italian Political Science Association 24th Annual Conference, Venice, Italy, 16-18 September 2010.
  • Patton, “The Economic Policies of Turkey’s AKP Government”; Ziya Öniş and Fikret Şenses, Turkey and the Global Economy: Neo-Liberal Restructuring and Integration in the Post-Crisis Era, London, Routledge, 2009.
  • Ziya Öniş, “The Triumph of Conservative Globalism: The Political Economy of the AKP Era”, Turkish Studies, Vol. 13, No. 2 (June 2012).
  • Author’s interview with Faruk Sabuncu (partner in PricewaterHouseCoopers) in Istanbul on 25 November 2011.
  • in electricity, the government also announced that the price of natural gas was raised in the
  • range of 12.28% to 14.30%.
  • Similar monopolistic problem exists in the coal sector as well. Especially, the hard coal sector in Turkey receives very significant state support. For instance, in 2008 the treasury injected a subsidy of US $400 million to the Turkish Hard Coal Enterprises (TTK), which is state- owned. The private sector share in coal production accounts for only around 10% of total production. See, IEA, “Energy Policies of IEA Countries: Turkey 2009 Review”.
  • Çetin and Oğuz, “The Politics of Regulation in the Turkish Electricity Market”, pp. 1761-70. 47 Ibid.
  • Necla Yilmaz, “Yenilenebilir Enerji Kavgasi”, Dünya Gazetesi, 18 October 2004.
  • Greenpeace International and European Energy Council, Energy Revolution: A Sustainable Turkey Energy Outlook, p. 5.
  • IEA, “Energy Policies of IEA Countries: Turkey 2009 Review”.
  • Greenpeace International and European Energy Council, Energy Revolution: A Sustainable Turkey Energy Outlook.
  • Erkan Erdoğdu, “Turkish Support to Kyoto Protocol: A Reality or Just an Illusion”, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 14, No. 3 (April 2010), pp. 1111-1117.
  • “Climate Negotiator Rende: Turkey Ready to do its part on Climate Change”, Today’s Zaman, 8 January 2012.
  • Author’s interview with Irmak Bademli (manager of Tax Services in PricewaterHouseCoopers) in Istanbul on 25 November 2011.
  • Daniel Silva, “Clouds Gather Over Spain’s Renewables Sector As Aid Cut”, AFP (Agence- France Presse), 2 February 2012.
  • “YEK Degisiklik Teklifi Bir Kez Daha Bekleme Odasinda”, at http://www.yenienerji. info/?pid=24270 [last visited 8 November 2013].
  • Author’s interview with Sibel Çetinkaya (partner in charge of Energy and Natural Resources at Deloitte Turkey) in Istanbul on 15 November 2011.
  • Author’s interview with Zeki Aybar Eriş.
  • Hasan Okur, “Turkey: Current Legal Status of the Wind Energy License Applications Made Prior to Nov.1 2007”, GSIMERIDIAN Attorneys Counselors, at http://www.mondaq.com/ article.asp?articleid=104018 [last visited 5 August 2013].
  • Roberta Davenport, “Turkish Energy Sector Chasing Windmills and Profits”, Today’s Zaman, 12 October 2008.
  • Okur, “Turkey: Current Legal Status of the Wind Energy License Applications Made Prior to Nov.1 2007”.
  • Author’s interview with Sibel Cetinkaya.
  • Author’s interview with Irmak Bademli.
  • Author’s interview with Zeki Aybar Eris.
  • Sinan Erensu, “Problematizing Green Energy: Small Hydro Plant Developments in Turkey”, paper presented at ESEE 2011 Conference, Istanbul, 14-18 June 2011.
  • Fowler, “Turkey Lays the Foundation for an Alternative Energy Rush”.
There are 50 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Journal Section Articles
Authors

Okşan Bayülgen This is me

Publication Date January 1, 2013
Published in Issue Year 2013 Volume: 18 Issue: 4

Cite

APA Bayülgen, O. (2013). Two Steps Forward, One Step Back: How Politics Dim the Lights on Turkey’s Renewable Energy Future. PERCEPTIONS: Journal of International Affairs, 18(4), 71-98.
AMA Bayülgen O. Two Steps Forward, One Step Back: How Politics Dim the Lights on Turkey’s Renewable Energy Future. PERCEPTIONS. January 2013;18(4):71-98.
Chicago Bayülgen, Okşan. “Two Steps Forward, One Step Back: How Politics Dim the Lights on Turkey’s Renewable Energy Future”. PERCEPTIONS: Journal of International Affairs 18, no. 4 (January 2013): 71-98.
EndNote Bayülgen O (January 1, 2013) Two Steps Forward, One Step Back: How Politics Dim the Lights on Turkey’s Renewable Energy Future. PERCEPTIONS: Journal of International Affairs 18 4 71–98.
IEEE O. Bayülgen, “Two Steps Forward, One Step Back: How Politics Dim the Lights on Turkey’s Renewable Energy Future”, PERCEPTIONS, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 71–98, 2013.
ISNAD Bayülgen, Okşan. “Two Steps Forward, One Step Back: How Politics Dim the Lights on Turkey’s Renewable Energy Future”. PERCEPTIONS: Journal of International Affairs 18/4 (January 2013), 71-98.
JAMA Bayülgen O. Two Steps Forward, One Step Back: How Politics Dim the Lights on Turkey’s Renewable Energy Future. PERCEPTIONS. 2013;18:71–98.
MLA Bayülgen, Okşan. “Two Steps Forward, One Step Back: How Politics Dim the Lights on Turkey’s Renewable Energy Future”. PERCEPTIONS: Journal of International Affairs, vol. 18, no. 4, 2013, pp. 71-98.
Vancouver Bayülgen O. Two Steps Forward, One Step Back: How Politics Dim the Lights on Turkey’s Renewable Energy Future. PERCEPTIONS. 2013;18(4):71-98.