Energy

Türkiye is definitively transforming into a clean energy and synthetic fuels powerhouse, serving as the essential green bridge for the EU-MENAT region.

The global transition towards zero-emission energy has reached a critical juncture, with nations racing to establish secure, sustainable supply chains.

Positioned at the geographical and economic crossroads of the world, the corridor connecting the European Union with the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is rapidly emerging as a focal point for renewable infrastructure. Within this highly strategic landscape, a major development has been spotlighted. According to recent insights published by Dii Desert Energy, Türkiye is definitively transforming into a clean energy and synthetic fuels powerhouse, serving as the essential green bridge for the EU-MENAT region.

Historically recognised as a pivotal transit hub for fossil fuels, Türkiye is now aggressively rewriting its energy narrative. The nation is moving swiftly to capitalise on its vast wind and solar resources, aiming to pivot from a net energy importer to a formidable exporter of low-emission power. This transformation is not merely a domestic ambition; it is a critical enabler for European markets seeking reliable, decarbonised energy alternatives to meet stringent net-zero targets.

The 120 GW National Energy Plan

At the core of this monumental shift is Türkiye’s highly ambitious National Energy Plan. Realising the urgent need to decarbonise and achieve energy independence, the government has set a definitive trajectory for the coming decade. The plan focuses extensively on scaling up domestic generation, fundamentally altering the national energy mix.

By the year 2035, the country aims to reach an impressive 120 gigawatts (GW) of installed renewable capacity. To achieve this, the nation plans to quadruple its current solar and wind generation capabilities. Local wind production, in particular, is slated to take a leading role in this rapid expansion. By harnessing its natural meteorological advantages, Türkiye intends to significantly diminish its historical reliance on imported carbon-intensive fuels, ensuring a resilient and sustainable domestic grid while unlocking export potential.

Upgrading the Grid: A $28 Billion Investment

Generating immense volumes of renewable energy is only the first step; transmitting and storing it requires robust, modernised infrastructure. Dii Desert Energy highlights that integrating this unprecedented scale of wind and solar into regional power systems demands meticulous coordination. To support the 2035 targets, Türkiye has outlined a comprehensive $28 billion grid modernisation programme.

Key components of this massive infrastructure overhaul include:

• Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS): The deployment of 7.5 GW of large-scale battery capacity. This is the primary enabler for grid stability, managing the inherent intermittency of renewable sources and ensuring a consistent power supply.

• Green Hydrogen Electrolysers: The development of 5 GW of electrolyser capacity, which will establish the necessary foundation for a thriving, domestic green hydrogen economy.

• Common User Infrastructure (CUI): The strategic rollout of shared infrastructure to de-risk giga-scale renewable developments. This approach significantly lowers entry barriers for commercial project developers and accelerates deployment.

Pioneering the Synthetic Fuels Market

Beyond the direct transmission of green electricity, Türkiye is strategically positioning itself as a global leader in the low-emission molecules sector. By marrying its expanding renewable capacity with advanced electrolyser technology, the country is laying the groundwork for the large-scale commercial production of green hydrogen and synthetic fuels.

To navigate the complex regulatory and financial landscape of this nascent industry, Türkiye has engaged in high-level international collaborations. Working alongside institutions such as the World Bank, the nation is actively developing a comprehensive national hydrogen roadmap. This strategic framework is designed to overcome existing hurdles related to commercial offtake agreements and create an exceptionally favourable environment for international investment, ensuring that long-term green fuel projects are bankable and secure.

Uniting the EU-MENA Energy Divide

Ultimately, Türkiye’s greatest asset remains its unique geopolitical positioning. As the European Union accelerates its decarbonisation efforts, the demand for cross-border clean energy imports is surging at an unprecedented rate. Meanwhile, the MENA region offers some of the most favourable conditions globally for low-cost renewable generation.

Through its $28 billion grid overhaul and unwavering commitment to green hydrogen, Türkiye is cementing its role as the indispensable link between these two vital markets. By facilitating the seamless transfer of zero-emission power and synthetic fuels across continents, the nation is not just upgrading its own grid—it is actively driving the industrial green transformation of the entire region.

Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC (Masdar), which has released its 13th Annual Sustainability Report. This momentous increase successfully avoided 19.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) emissions globally.

The global transition towards sustainable infrastructure is accelerating at an unprecedented pace, with 2025 marking a defining year for international decarbonisation efforts.

Leading this expansion is Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC (Masdar), which has released its 13th Annual Sustainability Report. This momentous increase successfully avoided 19.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) emissions globally.

This upward trajectory reflects the continued expansion of the company’s global operating projects. Including a further 20.7GW from secured developments or those nearing final investment approval, the total portfolio reached 66.5GW by the end of 2025.

The 2025 reporting boundary was broadened to include Saeta Yield and TERNA ENERGY for the first time. Key highlights include: It establishes a vital global blueprint, demonstrating how combined solar and battery storage can provide continuous, reliable power at a commercial scale.

Attracting Green Finance and International Investment

Financial markets responded enthusiastically to these global sustainability initiatives.$1 billion green bond in May. This issuance was oversubscribed by 6.6 times, attracting investor orders totalling US$6.6 billion, with international investors securing 85 per cent of the bonds.

This brought the total value of outstanding green bonds to US$2.75 billion. Biodiversity protection was significantly strengthened via the Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool (IBAT), encompassing 23 targeted surveys and three conservation partnerships. Meanwhile, the Emiratisation rate reached approximately 46 per cent (excluding international operations), and teams globally completed 250,000 hours of health, safety, and environmental training.

GE Vernova Inc. has officially announced a new services agreement aimed at providing Rotor Life Extension (RLE) solutions for five of its 9F gas turbines in Egypt.

GE Vernova Inc. has officially announced a new services agreement aimed at providing Rotor Life Extension (RLE) solutions for five of its 9F gas turbines in Egypt.

This comprehensive project actively supports the overall rotor lifecycle by thoroughly utilising GE Vernova’s vast technical expertise to determine the full residual life of various components.

“This agreement reflects EEHC’s continued focus on preserving the long-term performance and reliability of important generation assets across our fleet,” said Eng. Gaber El-Desouki, Chairman of the Board of Directors & CEO, Egyptian Electricity Holding Company (EEHC). “By working with GE Vernova and our generation companies, we are taking practical and proactive steps that can help protect strategic assets, support efficient and reliable power production, and contribute to Egypt’s broader electricity and energy objectives.”

The sentiment is echoed by other key stakeholders who recognise the operational value of maintaining current infrastructure rather than pursuing expensive overhauls.

“Extending the life of these gas turbines across our generation companies is expected to support grid stability and the continued availability of dispatchable power, while helping us increase the value of existing infrastructure and avoid premature, capital-intensive replacement,” said Eng. Mahmoud Al-Naqeeb, Full-time Board Member for Electricity Production Companies Affairs.

A Legacy of Strategic Collaboration

This agreement underscores the robust, ongoing collaboration between GE Vernova, the EEHC, and its various generation affiliates.

By continuously reinforcing its role in meeting the nation's energy demands through advanced technology, GE Vernova is helping ensure that Egypt remains well-powered for decades to come.

Elsewedy Electric acquires a 60% stake in UAE's Thomassen Service, boosting Middle East gas turbine maintenance.

Across the Arabian Gulf and the wider Middle East, power generation and industrial development continue to scale rapidly in line with national economic diversification and energy transition goals.

As regional demand for reliable energy infrastructure accelerates, maintaining these complex power generation systems has become paramount for continued growth. Responding directly to this escalating regional demand, Elsewedy Electric, a leading integrated provider of energy and infrastructure solutions operating across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, has formally announced a strategic acquisition. The firm has successfully acquired a 60% majority stake in UAE-based Thomassen Service, a highly specialised provider known for its gas turbine maintenance and repair services. The announcement, formalised in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in September 2026, signals a major shift in the regional energy supply chain by consolidating vital maintenance expertise closer to the point of need.

The official agreement was signed by Eng. Ahmed Elsewedy, CEO and Managing Director of Elsewedy Electric, and Eng. Peter Hertog, CEO of Thomassen Service. The formal signing ceremony took place in the presence of Mr. Sadek Elsewedy, Chairman, alongside senior leadership representatives from both organisations.

Historically, maintaining high-performance gas turbines in the region often required significant reliance on overseas facilities for complex maintenance. This acquisition is expected to significantly enhance the company’s ability to deliver high-quality, localised services directly across the region. Supported by Thomassen Service’s quarter-century of technical expertise, Elsewedy Electric expects to mitigate these historical logistical challenges.

Leadership perspectives on sector growth

The strategic alignment between the two firms underscores a mutual ambition for global expansion and technical excellence within the utilities sector.

Eng. Ahmed Elsewedy, CEO and Managing Director of Elsewedy Electric, commented: “This acquisition marks an important step in strengthening our technical capabilities and expanding the value we deliver to our customers across the Middle East, Africa, Europe and the Far East. By combining Thomassen Service’s specialized expertise with our integrated project capabilities, we are well positioned to meet the evolving needs of the energy sector.”

Eng. Peter Hertog, CEO of Thomassen Service, said: “Joining Elsewedy Electric opens significant opportunities to scale our operations and extend our reach into new markets. We are proud to become part of a group that shares our commitment to quality, innovation, and customer focus.”

Future outlook and industry impact

Looking ahead, Thomassen Service is set to benefit heavily from Elsewedy Electric’s financial strength, expansive regional footprint, and integrated engineering and construction ecosystems. This support aims to facilitate its expansion into high-growth markets and reinforce its position within the global energy services landscape.