Renewables
China and Türkiye sign $15bn renewable energy MoU at COP31
China and Türkiye have agreed to a $15bn memorandum of understanding for solar and wind projects.
Key points
- China and Türkiye signed an initial $15bn agreement at COP31 in Antalya.
- The package aims to develop 7GW of solar and wind capacity alongside storage and transmission.
- The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development also announced a $6bn investment plan.
What happened
China and Türkiye have entered into an initial agreement for up to $15bn in Chinese investment dedicated to solar and wind power plants in Türkiye. Energy Monitor reported that Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar announced the signing during the COP31 climate summit held in Antalya.
The memorandum of understanding was established between the national energy administrations of both countries. It outlines the development of seven gigawatts of new wind and solar generation capacity. In addition to generation assets, the accord encompasses the deployment of energy storage facilities and four gigawatts of electricity transmission capacity.
According to Energy Monitor, the partnership is designed to foster technology transfer and bolster domestic manufacturing capabilities for wind turbine equipment within Türkiye. The arrangement aligns with Ankara's National Energy 2040 Vision and broader objectives to curb fossil fuel import dependence while bolstering national energy security.
Wider investments
The bilateral pact coincides with other major financial commitments unveiled during the summit. GlobalData figures indicate that Türkiye's Renewable Energy 2035 strategy sets a goal of reaching 120 gigawatts of installed wind and solar capacity by 2035.
Concurrently, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development announced a commitment to invest six billion dollars over the next five years into projects tied to the Türkiye Renewable Energy Acceleration and Clean Transition platform. The platform itself seeks to unlock up to 300bn dollars in total investments across the country's renewable sector by 2040.
Why it matters
For international energy investors and policymakers across emerging markets, the agreement highlights the growing role of cross-border partnerships in scaling variable renewable energy infrastructure. Integrating large shares of wind and solar requires substantial parallel investments in grid transmission and battery storage, elements explicitly covered in the China-Türkiye framework. As African nations and other emerging economies pursue their own energy transitions, the Turkish model of combining domestic long-term targets with targeted international capital and technology transfer offers a relevant precedent for scaling clean generation while managing grid stability.
Original reporting
This article draws on the following reports. Read them in full on the publishers’ sites.
Context from CEII
Renewables are the fastest-growing part of the world’s energy system. The COP28 goal is to triple capacity by 2030, and solar mini-grids are the fastest route to power for millions of people without electricity.
28.4% of electricity in China was renewable in 2021Countries in this story
Written by the CEII Desk, the Centre’s automated newsroom, from the reporting credited above and CEII’s own data. Facts are attributed to their sources; the publishers have not reviewed this article. Spotted an error? Tell our editors.
