SavedAdd your journal

Journals / Türkiye Siyaset Bilimi Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 9 Sayı: 1

A New Era in Energy Security: Geopolitical Impacts of Renewable Energy Sources - The Case of Türkiye

Enerji Güvenliğinde Yeni Dönem: Yenilenebilir Enerji Kaynaklarının Jeopolitik Etkileri Türkiye Örneği

Tuğba Çakıroğlu(POLİS AKADEMİSİ, TRAFİK ENSTİTÜSÜ, ULAŞIM GÜVENLİĞİ VE YÖNETİMİ ANABİLİM DALI)0000-0001-5128-4371
Pages
37–52
Publication Date
2026-03-31
🏛️Bibliographic metadata and full text access for this article are provided via DergiPark.
DergiPark Record ↗
✨

AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The essay provides decision-makers with extensive insights to develop sustainable, equitable, and resilient energy plans.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Energy security has emerged as a crucial determinant in influencing governments' foreign policy priorities and global strategic standings, transcending its role as a simply economic consideration in contemporary international relations.
📊
Key Findings & Data:The transition to renewable energy sources is both an environmental obligation and a strategic requirement.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:The essay provides decision-makers with extensive insights to develop sustainable, equitable, and resilient energy plans.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Enerji Güvenliği · Jeopolitik · Enerji Demokratizasyonu

Abstract

Energy security has emerged as a crucial determinant in influencing governments' foreign policy priorities and global strategic standings, transcending its role as a simply economic consideration in contemporary international relations. Excessive reliance on fossil fuel resources renders nations susceptible to economic volatility, supply interruptions, and geopolitical tensions, while addressing climate change, sustainable development objectives, and environmental issues exacerbates these vulnerabilities. The transition to renewable energy sources is both an environmental obligation and a strategic requirement. This paper analyzes the impact of clean energy technologies, including solar, wind, and green hydrogen, on energy supply security, global power dynamics, and regional collaboration from a multidimensional viewpoint. The shift to renewable energy diminishes centralization in energy production and offers strategic independence for energy-importing nations. This change also heightens reliance on key minerals, digital infrastructure, and technological expertise. Renewable energy investments are strategically vital for Turkey to enhance energy supply security and diminish external reliance. Moreover, the nation's solar and wind capabilities facilitate diversity and sustained independence in energy generation. Furthermore, we must evaluate the aspects of social justice, economic disparities, and inclusivity in the energy transition. The essay provides decision-makers with extensive insights to develop sustainable, equitable, and resilient energy plans.

Özet

Enerji güvenliği, günümüz uluslararası ilişkilerinde yalnızca ekonomik bir unsur olmanın ötesinde, devletlerin dış politika önceliklerini ve küresel stratejik konumlarını şekillendiren temel bir unsur hâline gelmiştir. Fosil yakıt kaynaklarına olan yüksek düzeydeki bağımlılık, ülkeleri ekonomik dalgalanmalara, arz kesintilerine ve jeopolitik baskılara açık hâle getirirken; iklim değişikliğiyle mücadele, sürdürülebilir kalkınma hedefleri ve çevresel kaygılar bu kırılganlıkları daha da derinleştirmektedir. Bu bağlamda, yenilenebilir enerji kaynaklarına yönelim yalnızca çevresel bir zorunluluk değil, aynı zamanda stratejik bir gereklilik olarak ortaya çıkmaktadır. Bu çalışma, güneş, rüzgâr ve yeşil hidrojen gibi temiz enerji teknolojilerinin enerji arz güvenliği, küresel güç dengeleri ve bölgesel iş birlikleri üzerindeki etkilerini çok boyutlu bir perspektifle incelemektedir. Yenilenebilir enerjiye geçiş süreci, enerji üretiminde merkeziyetçiliği azaltmakta; enerji ithalatçısı ülkeler için stratejik özerklik sağlamaktadır. Ancak bu dönüşüm, stratejik mineraller, dijital altyapı ve teknolojik bilgiye bağımlılığı da artırmaktadır. Türkiye açısından, yenilenebilir enerji yatırımları ülkenin enerji arz güvenliğini güçlendirme ve dışa bağımlılığı azaltma açısından stratejik bir önem taşımaktadır. Ayrıca ülkenin sahip olduğu güneş ve rüzgâr potansiyeli, enerji üretiminde çeşitlilik ve uzun vadeli özerklik sağlama potansiyelini desteklemektedir. Ayrıca enerji dönüşümünün sosyal adalet, ekonomik eşitsizlikler ve kapsayıcılık boyutları da göz önünde bulundurulmalıdır. Makale, karar vericilere sürdürülebilir, adil ve dirençli enerji stratejileri geliştirmeleri yönünde kapsamlı çıkarımlar sunmaktadır.

🔖

Cite This Article

Çakıroğlu, T. (2026). A New Era in Energy Security: Geopolitical Impacts of Renewable Energy Sources - The Case of Türkiye. Türkiye Siyaset Bilimi Dergisi, Cilt: 9 Sayı: 1, 37–52. https://doi.org/10.59886/tsbder.1754219

📄 Full Text PDF Viewer

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

References (91)

  1. Acar, S., &Yeldan, E. (2021). Energytransition in Turkey: Betweendecarbonisationandsocialjustice. IstanbulPolicy Center Report Series.
  2. Ajayi, O. O., Alozie, C. E., &Abieba, O. A. (2025). Enhancingcybersecurity in energyinfrastructure: strategiesforsafeguardingcriticalsystems in thedigital age. Trends in RenewableEnergy, 11(2), 201-212.
  3. Ajayi, O. O., Olatunji, O. O., &Akinwale, A. A. (2025). Cybersecurity in smartgrids: Challengesandsolutions. EnergyPolicy, 150, 206–215.
  4. Amnesty International. (2016). ‘This is whatwediefor’: Human rightsabuses in theDemocraticRepublic of theCongopowerthe global trade in cobalt.
  5. Ashford, E. (2024). The Green Transition: Implications for Energy Security and Geopolitics. Stimson Center. Retrieved from https://www.stimson.org/2024/the-green-transition-implications-for-energy-security-and-geopolitics/
  6. Bazilian, M., Brown, M., Rogers, J., Sovacool, B. K., Valentine, S., & Miller, M. (2018). The mineral foundations of theenergytransition. TheExtractiveIndustriesandSociety, 5(1), 93–97.
  7. Bazilian, M., Furlonge, H., &Gabriel, S. (2018). The role of criticalminerals in cleanenergytransitions. RenewableandSustainableEnergyReviews, 93, 5–12.
  8. Bazilian, M., Sovacool, B., & Miller, M. (2013). Linkingenergyindependencetoenergysecurity. International AssociationforEnergyEconomics, IAEE USA, Third Quarter.
  9. Birleşmiş Milletler. (2024). RenewableEnergy – Powering a Safer Future. United Nations. Retrievedfromhttps://www.un.org/en/climatechange/raising-ambition/renewable-energy
  10. Bridge, G., Bouzarovski, S., Bradshaw, M., &Eyre, N. (2018). Geographies of energytransition: Space, placeandthelow-carboneconomy. EnergyResearch&SocialScience, 36, 1–10.
  11. Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). (2022). Significantcyberincidents. https://www.csis.org/programs/strategic-technologies-program/significant-cyber-incidents
  12. Chattopadhyay, D., Frydas, N., Kramskaya, T., &Tavoulareas, E. (2019). Batterystorage in developingcountries: Keyissuestoconsider. TheElectricityJournal, 32(2), 1-6.
  13. Cheng, S., &Wang, B. (2023). Impact of theBeltand Road Initiative on China'soverseasrenewableenergydevelopmentfinance: Effectsandfeatures. RenewableEnergy, 206, 1036-1048.
  14. Cherp, A., &Jewell, J. (2011a). Theconcept of energysecurity: Beyond thefour As. EnergyPolicy, 75, 415–421.
  15. Cherp, A., Vinichenko, V., Jewell, J., Brutschin, E., &Sovacool, B. K. (2018). Integratingtechno-economic, socio-technicalandpoliticalperspectives on nationalenergytransitions: A meta-theoreticalframework. EnergyResearch&SocialScience, 37, 175–190.
  16. Correlje, A., & Van der Linde, C. (2006). Energysupplysecurityandgeopolitics: A Europeanperspective. Energypolicy, 34(5), 532-543.
  17. Demiryol, T. (2020a). Turkey’senergypolicy in thecontext of regionalgeopolitics. TurkishStudies, 21(1), 98–117. https://doi.org/10.1080/14683849.2020.1722212
  18. Demiryol, T. (2020b). Turkey’senergypolicy in thecontext of the global energytransition. Middle East Policy, 27(1), 144–156.
  19. Diriöz, A. O. (2021). AB Yeşil Mutabakat Kapsamında Yeşil Ekonomiye Dönüşüm Süreci, Türkiye-AB İlişkilerine Olası Etkilerinin Değerlendirilmesi. Uluslararası Suçlar ve Tarih, (22), 107-130.
  20. Dolunay, Ö. (2020). Geostrategicrenewableenergytransition in Turkey: Organizationalstrategiestowards an energyautonomousfuture. PoliticsandGovernance, 8(3), 199-210.
  21. E3G. (2023, January 30). JumpstartingtheTransatlanticGreen Technology Alliance. E3G – Third GenerationEnvironmentalism. https://www.e3g.org/news/jumpstarting-the-transatlantic-green-technology-alliance/
  22. Ekechukwu, D. E., &Simpa, P. (2024). Thefuture of Cybersecurity in renewableenergysystems: A review, identifyingchallengesandproposingstrategicsolutions. ComputerScience& IT ResearchJournal, 5(6), 1265-1299.
  23. EuropeanCommission. (2020). A EuropeanGreenDeal. https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en
  24. Florini, A., &Sovacool, B. K. (2009). Whogovernsenergy? Thechallengesfacing global energygovernance. EnergyPolicy, 37(12), 5239–5248.
  25. Günay, E., &Yildirim, S. (2024). Yenilenebilir enerji kapasitesi bakimindan Türkiye’nin potansiyelinin değerlendirilmesi. Journal of EconomicsandResearch, 5(2), 61-72.
  26. Hamilton, J. D. (2011). Historicaloilshocks. In R. E. Parker& R. M. Whaples (Eds.), RoutledgeHandbook of MajorEvents in EconomicHistory (pp. 239–265). Routledge.
  27. Healy, N., &Barry, J. (2017). Politicizingenergyjusticeandenergysystemtransitions: Fossilfueldivestmentand a “justtransition”. EnergyPolicy, 108, 451–459.
  28. Herrington, R. (2021). Critical mineralsandthegeopolitics of renewableenergy. EnergyPolicy, 149, 456– Herrington, R. (2021). Miningourgreenfuture. Nature ReviewsMaterials, 6(6), 456–458. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41578-021-00289-5
  29. International EnergyAgency (IEA). (2021). The role of criticalminerals in cleanenergytransitions. https://www.iea.org/reports/the-role-of-critical-minerals-in-clean-energy-transitions
  30. International EnergyAgency (IEA). (2022). Global supplychains of EV batteries.
  31. https://www.iea.org/reports/global-supply-chains-of-ev-batteries
  32. International EnergyAgency (IEA). (2022). Hydrogenprojectsdatabase. https://www.iea.org
  33. International EnergyAgency (IEA). (2022). Renewables 2022: Analysis andforecastto 2027.
  34. https://www.iea.org/reports/renewables-2022
  35. International EnergyAgency (IEA). (2022). Solar PV global supplychains. https://www.iea.org/reports/solar-pv-global-supply-chains
  36. International EnergyAgency (IEA). (2023). Chinaenergyoutlook. https://www.iea.org
  37. International EnergyAgency (IEA). (2023). Energytechnologyperspectives 2023.
  38. https://www.iea.org/reports/energy-technology-perspectives-2023
  39. International EnergyAgency (IEA). (2023). The role of criticalminerals in cleanenergytransitions.
  40. https://www.iea.org/reports/the-role-of-critical-minerals-in-clean-energy-transitions
  41. International EnergyAgency (IEA). (2023). Turkey 2023 energypolicyreview. https://www.iea.org/reports/turkey-2023 International EnergyAgency (IEA). (2023). Türkiye energy profile. https://www.iea.org/countries/turkey
  42. International EnergyAgency (IEA). (2023). World energyoutlook 2023. https://www.iea.org/reports/world-energy-outlook-2023
  43. International EnergyAgency. (2022). World energyoutlook 2022. Paris: IEA. https://www.iea.org/reports/world-energy-outlook-2022
  44. International EnergyAgency. (2023). The role of criticalminerals in cleanenergytransitions. Paris: IEA. https://www.iea.org/reports/the-role-of-critical-minerals-in-clean-energy-transitions
  45. International RenewableEnergyAgency (IRENA). (2021). World energytransitions outlook: 1.5°C pathway. https://www.irena.org/publications/2021
  46. International RenewableEnergyAgency (IRENA). (2023). Renewableenergy market update. https://www.irena.org/publications
  47. International RenewableEnergyAgency (IRENA). (2023). Tracking SDG7: Theenergyprogressreport. https://www.irena.org/publications
  48. International RenewableEnergyAgency. (IRENA). (2021). Renewableenergyandgeopolitics. Abu Dhabi: IRENA. https://www.irena.org/publications/2021/Nov/Renewable-Energy-and-Geopolitics
  49. Jenkins, K., Sovacool, B. K., &McCauley, D. (2018). Humanizingsociotechnicaltransitionsthroughenergyjustice: An ethicalframeworkfor global transformativechange. EnergyPolicy, 117, 66–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2018.03.064
  50. Kennedy, K. M., Borrero, M. A., Edwards, M. R., O'Rourke, P., Hultman, N. E., &Surana, K. (2024). Advancingequitablevaluechainsforthe global hydrogeneconomy. EnergyandClimateChange, 5, 100166.
  51. Klare, M. T. (2008). Risingpowers, shrinking planet: Thenewgeopolitics of energy. MetropolitanBooks. Kuzemko, C., Bradshaw, M., Bridge, G., Goldthau, A., &Jewell, J. (2020). Politicsandtheenergytransition: A multi-levelanalysis. EnergyResearch&SocialScience, 59, 18–32.
  52. Kuzemko, C., Lawrence, A., Watson, M., &Goldthau, A. (2020). New directions in theinternationalpoliticaleconomy of energy. Review of International PoliticalEconomy, 27(1), 1–25.
  53. Luft, G. (2009). Dependence on Middle East energyanditsimpact on global security. CurrentHistory, 108(721), 145–149.
  54. Mehling, M., vanAsselt, H., Das, K., Droege, S., &Verkuijl, C. (2019).
  55. Designingbordercarbonadjustmentsforenhancedclimateaction. AmericanJournal of International Law, 113(3), 433–481. https://doi.org/10.1017/ajil.2019.22
  56. Ministry of Energyand Natural Resources (MENR). (2022). Türkiye güneş enerjisi potansiyel atlası. T.C. Enerji ve Tabii Kaynaklar Bakanlığı.
  57. Ministry of Energyand Natural Resources (MENR). (2022). Türkiye ulusal enerji dengesi 2022. https://www.enerji.gov.tr
  58. Ministry of Energyand Natural Resources (MENR). (2023). Türkiye ulusal enerji planı 2023–2035.
  59. Morris, C., &Jungjohann, A. (2016). Energydemocracy: Germany’sEnergiewendetorenewables. PalgraveMacmillan.
  60. Müller, F. (2024). Energycolonialism. Journal of PoliticalEcology, 31(1), 701-717.Scholten, D. (Ed.). (2018). Thegeopolitics of renewables. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-67855-9
  61. OrganisationforEconomicCo-operationand Development (OECD). (2021). Greengrowthreview of Turkey. https://www.oecd.org/env/green-growth
  62. Overland, I. (2019). Thegeopolitics of renewableenergy: Debunkingfouremergingmyths. EnergyResearch&SocialScience, 49, 36-40.
  63. Overland, I. (2019). Thegeopolitics of renewableenergy: Debunkingfouremergingmyths. EnergyResearch&SocialScience, 49, 36–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2018.10.018
  64. Overland, I. (2019). Thegeopolitics of renewables: New board, newgame. EnergyPolicy, 138, 38–49. Özdemir, M., Akbaş, B., & Karataş, E. (2023). Avrupa Yeşil Mutabakatı kapsamında Türkiye’de enerji-iklim uyumu. Enerji Ekonomisi ve Politikaları Dergisi, 10(1), 92–105.
  65. Özden, B., & Yılmaz, M. (2021). Yenilenebilir enerji yatırımlarında YEKA modeli ve Türkiye uygulaması. Enerji Hukuku Dergisi, 7(2), 42–58.
  66. Özden, M., & Yılmaz, B. (2021). Türkiye’de YEKA modelinin uygulanabilirliği: Ekonomik ve hukuki değerlendirme. Enerji Hukuku Dergisi, 7(1), 47–65.
  67. Painter, D. S. (2014). Oilandgeopolitics: Theoilcrises of the 1970s andtheColdWar. HistoricalSocialResearch, 39(4), 186–208.
  68. Perović, J., Orttung, R. W., &Wenger, A. (2009). Russian energypowerandforeignrelations: Implicationsforconflictandcooperation. Routledge.
  69. Popp, D., Haščič, I., &Medhi, N. (2023). TheInflationReductionActandinnovation in cleanenergytechnologies (OECD Environment WorkingPapers, No. 199). OECD Publishing.
  70. Reuters. (2025). Global energyinvestment set to hit record $3.3 trillion in 2025, IEA says. Reuters. Retrievedfrom https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/global-energy-investment-set-hit-record-33-trillion-2025-iea-says-2025-06-05/
  71. Scholten, D. (2018). Thegeopolitics of renewables: Emergingpatterns. EnergyPolicy, 138, 5–15.
  72. Scholten, D. (2018). Thegeopolitics of renewables—an introductionandexpectations. In Thegeopolitics of renewables (pp. 1-33). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
  73. Siccardi, F. (2024). UnderstandingtheEnergy Drivers of Turkey’sForeignPolicy. Carnegie Endowmentfor International Peace.
  74. Siccardi, F. (2024). Understandingtheenergydrivers of Turkey’sforeignpolicy. Carnegie Endowmentfor International Peace. https://carnegieendowment.org/2024/01/15/understanding-energy-drivers-turkey
  75. Simcock, N., Thomson, H., Petrova, S., &Bouzarovski, S. (2017). EnergyPovertyandVulnerability. Routledge.
  76. Smith Stegen, K. (2011). Deconstructingthe “energyweapon”: Russia’sthreatto Europe as casestudy. EnergyPolicy, 39(10), 6505–6513.
  77. Sovacool, B. K. (2016). How longwill it take? Conceptualizingthetemporaldynamics of energytransitions. EnergyResearch&SocialScience, 13, 202–215. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2015.12.020
  78. Sovacool, B. K., Axsen, J., &Sorrell, S. (2020). Thepoliticaleconomy of energytransitions. EnergyResearch&SocialScience, 68, 688–698.
  79. Sovacool, B. K., Griffiths, S. (2020). Cultureandlow-carbonenergytransitions. Nature Sustainability, 3(9), 685–693.
  80. Sovacool, B. K., Ryan, S. E., Stern, P. C., Janda, K., &Rochlin, G. (2020). Thecleanenergyrevolution: Lessonsfromthepast, policiesforthefuture. AnnualReview of Environment andResources, 45, 1–34. Sovacool, B. K., Sidortsov, R. V., &Jones, B. R. (2020). Energysecurity, equalityandjustice. Routledge.
  81. Sweeney, S., &Treat, J. (2017). Tradeunionsandjusttransition: Thesearchfor a transformativepolitics (TUED Report No. 11). TradeUnionsforEnergyDemocracy. https://www.energy-democracy.org/files/tued-research-brief-no11.pdf
  82. U.S. Department of Energy. (2022, July 13). DOE participates in first-ever meeting of QuadEnergyMinisters. U.S. Department of Energy. https://www.energy.gov/articles/doe-participates-first-ever-meeting-quad-energy-ministers
  83. UNFCCC. (2015). Paris Agreement. https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement/the-paris-agreement
  84. UNFCCC. (2021). Paris Agreement – Status of Ratification: Turkey. https://unfccc.int/process/the-paris-agreement/status-of-ratification
  85. United Nations Conference on Tradeand Development. (2022). $369 billion in investmentincentivestoaddressenergysecurityandclimatechange. InvestmentPolicyMonitor. https://investmentpolicy.unctad.org/investment-policy-monitor/measures/4004/-369-billion-in-investment-incentives-to-address-energy-security-and-climate-change
  86. Vakulchuk, R., Overland, I., &Scholten, D. (2020). Renewableenergyandgeopolitics: A review. RenewableandSustainableEnergyReviews, 131, 1–10.
  87. Van de Graaf, T., Overland, I., Scholten, D., &Westphal, K. (2020). Thenewoil?
  88. Thegeopoliticsandinternationalgovernance of hydrogen. EnergyResearch&SocialScience, 70, 101667. World Bank. (2022). Turkey’senergytransition: Milestonesandpolicyrecommendations.
  89. https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/turkey/publication/turkey-energy-transition Yang, Y., Xia, S., &Qian, X. (2023). Geopolitics of theenergytransition. Journal of GeographicalSciences, 33(4), 683-704.
  90. Yergin, D. (2006). Ensuringenergysecurity. ForeignAffairs, 85(2), 69–82.
  91. Simcock, N., Thomson, H., Petrova, S., &Bouzarovski, S. (2017). EnergyPovertyandVulnerability. Routledge.