Turkey's participation in the European initiative mapping hydrogen pipelines is crucial

Günay stated that Turkey will accelerate its renewable energy efforts in 2024 and will continue to work on evaluating hydrogen within this equation.

Noting that 1.1 billion dollars were invested globally at the end of last year to develop hydrogen technology, Günay expressed that these investments will increase by the end of this year.

Günay stated that Turkey entered the 100th anniversary of the Republic by announcing its "Hydrogen Technologies Strategy and Roadmap," and said, "Turkey needs to accelerate its efforts to join the European Hydrogen Backbone Initiative, where hydrogen pipelines are mapped, in order to reduce the European energy system's dependence on natural gas and contribute to the clean energy transition. Before us, 22 out of 27 countries in the EU had already announced their strategies."

Pointing out that 2023 was a productive year globally in terms of hydrogen studies, Günay continued his words as follows:

"Within this year, Germany announced the 2nd phase of its hydrogen strategy. Saudi Arabia extended an invitation to EU producers. It is creating one of the world's largest green hydrogen production areas in this invitation. It says, 'Come, move your factory to Neom City and its surroundings. I will even cover your relocation and establishment costs.' The US is supporting green hydrogen production with a 3.5 dollar incentive per kilogram. Germany announced that it will make purchases amounting to 10 billion euros with a 10-year price guarantee. The EU held its first green hydrogen tender worth 800 million euros. Another 2.2 billion euros will be tendered in April 2025. China has pushed investments for hydrogen-prioritized renewable electricity production to the peak. It has become a world monopoly in solar panel production. The EU is establishing a 20 billion euro hydrogen farm in Brazil. All these developments reveal the tremendous growth in renewable energy and green hydrogen, the star of the sector."

Günay reminded that Turkey's first hydrogen valley project will be implemented in Bandırma under the coordination of the South Marmara Development Agency, with a 16-stakeholder structure and 28 million euros of EU support.

Reminding that President Erdoğan shared information regarding the "2053 net zero emission" target at the COP 28 summit held in Dubai this year, Günay said, "Our President announced that the share of renewable energy sources in the total installed capacity has risen to 55 percent. Our Hydrogen Technologies Strategy has been put into practice, and the share of renewable energy will be increased to 69 percent in 2053. Developments at home and abroad have once again highlighted Turkey's potential in renewable energy. Currently, our wind and solar power plant installed capacity is at the level of approximately 21 gigawatts; Germany's solar energy installed capacity alone is at the 60 gigawatt level. They also started implementing every 1-gigawatt wind power plant installation decision 2 months ago."

Stating that the most important reason for the current account deficit is energy imports and that the most reliable way to reduce imports is to use domestic energy, Günay continued his words as follows:

"Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar announced our wind energy potential as 150 gigawatts. Clean energy sources should be evaluated in green hydrogen production. Special production zones should be determined for green hydrogen, and for this purpose, wind and solar energy institutions should be further supported. Turkey can be the EU's most valuable green hydrogen supplier. For this reason, Turkey should also be included in the European Hydrogen Backbone structure belonging to the EU. The employment that the green hydrogen sector will provide should also be evaluated. Training for the competencies and skills required for this; events that will provide general green hydrogen information should be disseminated through national and regional organizations."