Turkey’s Energy Future in an Uncertain World – Five Priorities for a Viable Energy Strategy

Executive Summary

Turkey's economy and security are strongly influenced by the country's steadily increasing energy needs. Recognising the strategic importance of energy, the government has placed significant emphasis on energy policymaking at both the domestic and international levels. However, these efforts take place within a rapidly changing global environment shaped by developments such as the growing importance of unconventional oil and gas production in the United States, economic crises in Europe and their impact on energy demand, increasing awareness of the consequences of climate change, and geopolitical crises in Iraq, Syria, and Ukraine.

This policy brief examines how Turkey can develop a viable energy strategy in such an uncertain environment by proposing five strategic priorities for future policymaking.

The recommendations are based on discussions held during the expert roundtable titled "Turkish Energy Leadership, Europe and the Future of the Global Energy Order", organised by the Istanbul Policy Center (IPC). The workshop brought together representatives from the business community, academia, and civil society to discuss Turkey's fossil fuel and renewable energy landscape, its potential to become a regional energy leader and energy hub, and its relationship with the European Union.

The policy brief presents the author's interpretation and further elaboration of these discussions, outlining key priorities for shaping Turkey's future energy strategy.