Turkey's hydroelectric output hits record as renewables reach 72% of electricity

In May 2026 Turkey’s hydroelectric power plants generated a record 11.71 billion kilowatt‑hours (kWh), providing 43.1% of the country’s total electricity output. Total electricity generation for the month reached 27.15 billion kWh. Renewable sources together supplied 72.3% of the electricity mix: hydro 43.1%, wind 8.8% and solar 13.7%. Domestic (local) generation accounted for 85% of total output. Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar highlighted the achievement as progress toward the “energy‑independent Turkey” goal. Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek noted that over the past 23 years Turkey’s cumulative energy imports have totalled about US$1.1 trillion, underscoring the economic necessity of a green transition. He also pointed to a €400 million World Bank loan that will support additional renewable‑energy projects and storage, aiming to reduce import dependence and increase the value‑added share of domestic energy resources.