Renewables
Turkey advances first offshore wind tender preparations
DenAr Ocean Engineering Services has secured a contract to conduct marine site investigations for Turkey's inaugural offshore wind project.
Key points
- DenAr Ocean Engineering Services will carry out geophysical and geotechnical surveys in the Sea of Marmara.
- The surveys support Turkey's target of installing 5 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2035.
- The government plans to hold its first offshore wind auction in the first quarter of 2027.
What happened
According to Offshore Energy, Turkey's Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (MENR) has awarded a contract to DenAr Ocean Engineering Services to perform ground investigations for the nation's initial offshore wind site investigation program.
The project focuses on two zones within the Sea of Marmara under the NCS-01 designation. The operational scope entails multibeam echosounder, side-scan sonar, sub-bottom profiler, magnetometer, and unexploded ordnance investigations alongside ultra-high-resolution seismic surveys.
Geotechnical tasks will rely on seabed cone penetration testing and sampling deployed from the vessel Denar Explorer. The winter field program will utilise three vessels in total following a hazard and operability meeting held with representatives from MENR, consultant IMDC, and the corporate offshore division.
What comes next
Preparation for the marine surveys aligns with wider governmental timelines for renewable expansion. Offshore Energy reported that draft rules for a 1 GW offshore wind tender emerged in June 2026, with officials indicating an auction target during the first quarter of 2027.
MENR previously initiated a tender process in 2023 covering three development zones in the Sea of Marmara to establish foundational design data. The current site investigations form a critical precursor to the upcoming tender process as the country works toward its 2035 capacity goals.
Why it matters
As emerging economies seek to diversify their energy mixes, strategic site investigation contracts represent vital early-stage milestones for offshore deployment. World Bank figures indicate that Turkey achieved a 35.4 per cent renewable share of electricity output in 2021, alongside full electricity access for its population in 2024. For international investors and regional policymakers in Africa and beyond, structured preparatory phases and clear tender timelines offer a blueprint for de-risking capital-intensive marine infrastructure. Establishing robust baseline data through geotechnical and geophysical surveys remains essential for project financing and long-term asset integrity in challenging maritime environments.
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.
35.4% of electricity in Türkiye 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.
