Turkey to launch 2 GW wind energy auction in 2016

Turkey’s energy regulator will auction contracts for 2,000 megawatts of wind power capacity next year, bringing forward a program originally to be completed by 2020.

Ankara-based regulator EPDK will collect preliminary license applications on Oct. 3 to Oct. 7, 2016, according to a decree published in the Official Gazette.

Turkey has 4,032 megawatts of wind power from 101 plants as of the end of July, according to data provided by the state power transmission company Teias. This compares with 3,630 megawatts from 90 plants at the end of 2014. The country’s total power capacity stood at 71,908 megawatts in July, according to Teias.

Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said in November that Turkey wanted to increase Turkey’s wind capacity to at least 20,000 megawatts and total installed electricity capacity to 110,000 megawatts by 2023.

Natural gas and coal supply more than half of Turkey’s power, with hydroelectric units feeding about a third of the nation’s electricity, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.