Turkiye Launches 1GW Offshore Wind Tender

Turkiye’s planned first 1 gigawatt (GW) offshore wind project is expected to create an investment environment of some $3 billion, according to the head of the Turkish Wind Energy Association (TÜREB).

Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA) on the sidelines of WindEnergy Hamburg, TÜREB President Ibrahim Erden said around half of the $3 billion investment will be allocated to offshore wind turbines, while the remainder will cover costs such as electricity infrastructure, construction and logistics.

Türkiye’s first offshore wind tender, scheduled for the first quarter of 2027, has drawn interest from international developers, investors and manufacturers as the country prepares to open a new segment of its renewable energy market, Deputy Energy and Natural Resources Minister Zafer Demircan separately told AA.

The tender is expected to be announced by the end of this year, with the auction planned for the first quarter of 2027, Demircan said.While offshore wind projects are costlier than onshore alternatives, Erden emphasized that they offer significantly higher efficiency.

“While the capacity factor for onshore wind is around 35 percent, it is between 45 percent and 50 percent for offshore wind.

Despite the higher costs, more revenue can be generated,” he noted, adding that initial high costs and technological requirements will naturally decline as the technology becomes more widespread.

Beyond energy generation, Erden stated that the offshore wind ecosystem would become a driving force for several other sectors once it becomes economically viable.