Energy Policies

Energy policies encompass the full set of strategies, objectives, regulations, and implementation mechanisms adopted by a country, regional alliance, or institution regarding the production, transmission, distribution, consumption, and sustainability of energy resources. These policies aim to manage energy systems in a secure, economic, environmentally compatible, and socially appropriate manner. Since energy directly influences fundamental aspects of modern societies—including economic growth, technological advancement, industrial production, transportation, healthcare services, and overall quality of life—energy policies have a multidimensional and interdisciplinary structure.

The formulation of energy policies involves assessing current resources in technical and economic terms, projecting future demand, accounting for technological advancements, national security priorities, environmental goals, and international obligations. This process is grounded in fundamental principles such as energy supply security, cost-effectiveness, environmental sustainability, promotion of domestic production, and enhancement of social welfare.

Objectives and Scope

The objectives and scope of energy policies extend beyond mere energy supply to cover all stages from energy production to end-user consumption. This scope includes technical planning, legal frameworks, economic incentives, research and development activities, international cooperation, and crisis management mechanisms.

Energy Supply Security

Energy supply security aims to ensure that energy systems operate continuously, reliably, and at affordable costs. In this context, key policy instruments include:

• Resource diversity (oil, natural gas, coal, renewable energy, nuclear energy)
• Security of supply routes (pipelines, LNG terminals, electricity interconnectors)
• Strategic reserves (oil and natural gas storage facilities)

Geopolitical crises can directly impact energy supply security. For example, fluctuations in natural gas prices and increased LNG imports in Europe following the Russia-Ukraine war illustrate the strategic dimension of this issue.

Environmental Sustainability

Emissions of greenhouse gases from energy production and consumption are among the primary drivers of climate change. Energy policies support environmental sustainability through measures such as:

• Transition to low-carbon production technologies,
• Promotion of renewable energy sources,
• Implementation of energy efficiency standards,
• Development of waste management and recycling processes.

Economic Competitiveness and Efficiency

Energy is a strategic input that directly affects production costs. Stability in energy prices is critical for the competitiveness of the industrial sector. Energy policies aim to strengthen economic efficiency through elements such as:

• Adoption of high-efficiency energy technologies,
• Targets to reduce energy intensity,
• Development of domestic energy technologies.

Key Elements and Strategic Areas

Fossil Fuels and the Transition Process

Coal, oil, and natural gas formed the backbone of the global energy system throughout the 20th century. However, emissions from burning these resources have deepened problems such as global warming and air pollution. Consequently, energy policies develop strategies to reduce the share of fossil fuels and implement transition technologies such as clean coal technologies and carbon capture and storage (CCS) systems.

Renewable Energy Sources

Renewable sources such as solar, wind, hydropower, biomass, and geothermal energy form the foundation of a sustainable energy system. Key policy components for expanding renewable energy include:

• Investment incentives,
• Tax advantages,
• Auction and purchase guarantees,
• Infrastructure investments for grid integration.

Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency policies aim to deliver the same level of service or production using less energy. Energy efficiency projects in industry, buildings, transportation, and agriculture help manage energy demand while reducing costs.

Global Goals and International Cooperation

Carbon Neutrality and International Agreements

Global agreements such as the Paris Agreement require countries to commit to reducing carbon emissions, accelerating the transition to renewable energy, and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Sustainable Investments

Global investments in clean energy are concentrated in areas such as wind turbines, photovoltaic panels, energy storage systems, and green hydrogen production. These investments accelerate technological progress and reduce costs.

Geopolitical Dimension and the Strategic Role of Energy

Energy occupies a central position in global politics and economics. Control over energy resources strengthens a state’s position on the international stage.

• Eurasian Competition: Central Asia and the Caspian Basin, due to their rich oil and natural gas reserves, are strategic arenas of competition among the United States, Russia, China, and the European Union.
• Eastern Mediterranean Energy Balances: Projects such as the EastMed pipeline are part of strategies to diversify energy supply.
• Energy as a Diplomatic Tool: Russia’s use of natural gas supplies to Europe as an instrument of foreign policy highlights the direct link between energy security and national security.

Türkiye’s Energy Policies

Türkiye pursues policies aimed at diversifying its energy portfolio, increasing the share of renewable energy, and improving energy efficiency.

• Hydropower: Contributes more than half of renewable generation.
• Wind: With rapidly increasing installed capacity since the 2010s, wind power accounted for 27.3% of renewable generation in 2022.
• Solar: Experienced rapid growth after 2015, reaching an 11.9% share of renewable generation in 2022.
• Geothermal: Türkiye is among the European leaders in installed geothermal capacity.

Corporate Energy Policies

Large corporations also develop their own energy policies. These policies typically aim to:

• Increase energy efficiency,
• Implement environmentally friendly technologies,
• Ensure full compliance with legal regulations,
• Enhance stakeholder awareness.

These practices contribute to the broader adoption of national and global sustainability goals.