Beyond Targets: Assessing the Strategic Evolution and Implementation Barriers of Türkiye's YEKA Auction Framework

Introduction

In its efforts to advance the decarbonization of its energy system and enhance national energy security, Türkiye has set ambitious targets for its renewable energy sector. According to the country’s official Roadmap for Renewable Energy to 2035, the national target expands the combined capacity of wind and solar installations to 120 gigawatts (GW) by 2035.1 This ambitious trajectory requires a significant and sustained acceleration of yearly capacity additions. In 2025, Türkiye made notable progress by deploying 6.5 GW of new wind and solar capacity.2 However, while this expansion represents a substantial step forward, it remains insufficient to meet long-term objectives.

The YEKA Policy Framework and Its Evolution

Introduced in 2016, the YEKA framework represents a paradigm shift in Türkiye’s approach to renewable energy deployment. Unlike conventional auction systems that focus solely on deploying capacity at the lowest possible cost, the YEKA model operates at the intersection of energy and industrial policy. By design, it seeks to simultaneously scale up renewable energy capacity, attract foreign direct investment, and foster local investment by linking large-scale generation tenders with stringent domestic manufacturing obligations and Local Content Requirements (LCRs).