Estimated total funding needs at no less than $50 billion over the next 10 years

Türkiye will need at least $50 billion in electricity distribution network investments over the next decade to meet rising power demand and support its energy transition, according to Barış Erdeniz, Chairman of the Electricity Distribution Services Association (ELDER).

Erdeniz said increasing electricity consumption, the expansion of renewable energy, the adoption of electric vehicles, the growth of data centers and artificial intelligence applications, along with industrial electrification and digitalization, are driving the need for significant upgrades to the country’s power distribution infrastructure. (By the way I have a story here about Turkey and its electricity consumption)

Electricity consumption in Türkiye has climbed 50% over the past 12 years to 361 terawatt-hours and is expected to reach 510 terawatt-hours by 2035, he underlined.

Electricity distribution contributed approximately $33 billion

Installed electricity generation capacity is projected to increase to 227 gigawatts by 2035, requiring an additional 104 gigawatts of capacity to meet future demand, Erdeniz added.

He said the expansion will require extensive investment in electricity distribution networks, estimating total funding needs at no less than $50 billion over the next 10 years.

According to Erdeniz, electricity distribution companies are expected to invest about $22 billion between 2026 and 2030, covering both grid expansion projects and planned maintenance.

The planned investments will prioritize grid modernization, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, climate resilience and the integration of renewable energy sources into the electricity system, he noted.

Erdeniz also said the electricity distribution sector has contributed approximately $33 billion to Türkiye’s economy over the past 12 years, including proceeds from privatization, while distribution companies invested nearly $20 billion during the same period.