Turkey and Canada expressed their intention at a summit in Istanbul to launch projects for nuclear energy, liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply, critical minerals and renewable energy. Turkey’s total electricity capacity reached 127.4 GW in September, of which 80.3 GW from renewables.
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of Turkey Alparslan Bayraktar and Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of Canada Timothy Hodgson signed a cooperation statement in the presence of Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney.
The global energy sector is experiencing a period of profound change, marked by geopolitical tensions, volatile markets, economic fragmentation, artificial intelligence–driven demand and the mounting challenge of climate change, the document reads. The ministers vowed to enhance building bilateral cooperation on complementary strengths, aiming to bolster the resilience of their respective energy sectors.
The strategic bilateral partnership will focus on trade and investment, defense and security, energy and people-to-people relations
According to the top officials, who met in Istanbul, the strategic bilateral partnership will focus on trade and investment, defense and security, energy and people-to-people relations. The summit involved an air transportation agreement as well.
“The ministers agreed to leverage Canada’s growing LNG export capacity, given global supply shortages and rising prices that are affecting energy affordability. They agreed to facilitate further discussions between Canadian LNG project proponents and potential long-term off-takers. Such engagement could help identify potential LNG procurement arrangements that could, in turn, contribute to Türkiye’s energy security by easing global supply shortages and price volatility, and provide security of supply,” the statement adds.
Nuclear energy cooperation
Alparslan Bayraktar and Tim Hodgson pointed to the role of nuclear technology in enhancing energy security, supporting economic growth and advancing clean energy objectives. They welcomed the mutual interest in exploring cooperation opportunities in civil nuclear energy based on Canadian technology.
The ministers expressed support for the role of renewable energy and clean technologies to advance the global net zero transition. They discussed the role renewables can play in enhancing grid stability, diversifying energy mixes, and securing supply chains. The ministers agreed to explore enhancing private sector investments and the emerging possibilities of carbon capture and storage technologies. They said they would explore cooperation on next generation geothermal technologies, including advanced closed-loop geothermal systems.
Mining for sustainable energy
The ministers agreed to advance collaboration on strengthening minerals supply chains by promoting bilateral trade and investment across the mining value chain, including exploration and services, such as drilling, laboratory analysis, resource modelling and reporting in line with international standards such as CRIRSCO (Committee for Mineral Reserves International Reporting Standards), as well as partnerships between companies and industry organizations, including in battery minerals and technologies.
The ministers expressed support for engaging in industry programs to raise environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards and share best practices on environmental stewardship and responsible mining practices, including through Türkiye’s adoption of the Mining Association of Canada’s Towards Sustainable Mining standards and attendance at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) conference.
Wind, solar power approaching 45 GW combined
Turkey, which officially calls itself Türkiye in both domestic and international use since 2021, is set to present its 2040 National Energy Plan on November 5. The renewables share goal is 70%.
In capacity terms, the total amounted to 127.4 GW at the end of September, of which 80.3 GW in renewables. Wind power reached 15.6 GW, compared to 28.2 GW of solar power.
Evaluating applicability of Canada’s CANDU reactor technology
“We focused on evaluating the applicability of Canada’s CANDU reactor technology in our country and developing technical cooperation accordingly. While increasing our nuclear capacity, we attach importance to diversifying our technology options, strengthening our engineering capabilities, and increasing the share of our industry in the nuclear value chain,” Bayraktar stressed. The country has also held discussions with Canada-based AtkinsRéalis, South Korean Electric Power Corp. and China’s State Power Investment Corp.
The first unit of the Akkuyu nuclear plant is expected to be launched by the end of December
Bayraktar said separately that Turkey plans to invest USD 80 billion in the electricity grid by 2040. The target for nuclear power for 2050 is 20 GW from large reactors and small modular reactors (SMRs), he noted. The first unit of the Akkuyu nuclear plant, the country’s first, is expected to be launched by the end of December.
The minister pointed out that nuclear projects require long-term planning and significant investments. “Therefore, instead of hasty decisions, we want to proceed step by step with solid plans. I believe that once we reach an agreement on financing, costs, and the timeline, this project will become a flagship project between the two countries,” he stated.
Two-way investments in fossil fuels
Bayraktar highlighted the possibility that Turkish Petroleum Corp. (TPAO) participates in exploration and production projects in Canada.
The country’s daily LNG regasification capacity has increased from 30 million cubic meters to 160 million in the last 10 years, he said. Bayraktar underscored that Turkey is working to increase its natural gas storage capacity to 15 billion cubic meters.