Issue 42
Achieving net-zero emission targets necessitates accelerating electrification and increasing renewable energy capacity in global energy systems; this makes the modernization of transmission and distribution networks a critical priority. According to data from the International Energy Agency (IEA), global electricity demand is projected to increase by approximately 4% annually until 2027, and to meet climate targets, annual transmission investments need to double their current levels between 2030 and 2040. As part of this transformation, Turkey aims to increase its installed wind and solar capacity by approximately four times to 120 GW by 2035 and invest US$28 billion in "Green Transmission Infrastructure". While Türkiye's targets appear to be in line with global scenarios, the rapid deployment of technologies that will increase grid flexibility is crucial for achieving net-zero targets.
Issue 43
The rapid spread of artificial intelligence (AI) has significantly increased electricity consumption in the energy sector and data centers. According to data from the International Energy Agency (IEA), the annual growth rate of electricity consumption in data centers increased by 10% between 2015 and 2024, reaching a 1.5% share of global electricity consumption. The primary driver of this increase is AI-powered accelerated servers, and it is projected that 70% of the increase in data center consumption between 2020 and 2030 will stem from these servers. While AI increases the resource consumption of data centers, it also offers the potential to reduce global CO₂ emissions by approximately 4% by improving energy grid management and increasing efficiency in sectors such as industry, transportation, and buildings. However, there is a risk that cost reductions due to efficiency improvements could lead to a rebound effect, causing consumption to increase again.
In Türkiye, obtaining a TSE Data Center Design Certificate under the TSE EN 50600 standard has been required since 2021 to ensure the sustainability of data center investments. Globally, countries such as the European Union and Germany are introducing strict regulations for data centers based on renewable energy use and performance. It is emphasized that Türkiye also needs holistic policies for the sustainable commissioning of data centers, reduction of energy costs, and improvement of grid management in the AI integration process.
Issue 44
In sectors where decarbonization is difficult, Carbon Capture, Use, and Storage (CCUS) emerges as a critical option when methods such as energy efficiency and electrification are insufficient to reduce emissions. However, most existing CCUS facilities are primarily used to increase efficiency in oil and gas extraction. According to the International Energy Agency's (IEA) net-zero scenarios, for CCUS to be an effective decarbonization tool, it needs to shift towards areas such as fossil fuel-based industrial processes and bioenergy.
Costs exceeding carbon prices and technical challenges related to storage infrastructure limit the widespread adoption of CCUS projects. Studies predict that the potential CCUS capacity in 2030 will be 40% below IEA targets. In Türkiye, for CCUS to contribute to climate goals, it is necessary to create a storage atlas, improve the legal infrastructure, and prioritize the cement and iron and steel sectors.
Issue 45
In recent years, extreme weather events and natural disasters, which have increased in frequency and intensity, pose serious operational and economic risks to electricity transmission and distribution infrastructures. In addition to loss of life, power outages and disruptions in the supply chain lead to significant economic losses. US data shows that 80% of large-scale power outages between 2000 and 2023 were due to weather conditions. In 2024, 393 natural disasters affected 167 million people worldwide; wildfires almost doubled, and earthquakes and hurricanes caused billions of dollars in damage.
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) recommends proactive policies, cost-benefit analyses, and physical protection of infrastructure to strengthen electricity infrastructures against the climate crisis. Given Türkiye's location in an earthquake zone and the increasing risk of flooding, making its energy infrastructure resilient to disasters is of critical importance. Leveraging the potential of solar energy and supporting distributed generation facilities with storage systems creates a potential effective solution for energy supply security and system flexibility.