Turkish and Chinese companies are stepping up cooperation in renewable energy and exploring opportunities to expand their partnership into third countries, combining T眉rkiye's regional connectivity with China's industrial capacity, according to business representatives.
T眉rkiye, which plans to raise its installed solar and wind power capacity to 120,000 megawatts by 2035, is ramping up cooperation in technology, equipment and financing to support its renewable energy targets.
The partnership with China, seen as strategically important in recent years, is bringing Chinese technology and supply capabilities to T眉rkiye, particularly in solar panels and battery systems.
As the global leader in these sectors, China is forging deeper ties with Turkish firms, which are increasingly engaged in joint investment and manufacturing initiatives.
T眉rkiye's field-tested experience across diverse regions, robust economic ties, and proven project-delivery track record spotlight its potential to pursue joint investments and energy projects in third countries.
One concrete step in this direction was the launch of the "Global Supply Chain Management Platform" by the Turkish Young Businesspeople Association (TUGIAD) in cooperation with China Council of the G20 Young Entrepreneurs' Alliance (G20 YEA).
The platform enables direct business ties between Turkish and Chinese companies and opens the door to partnerships in energy, infrastructure and technology.
The combination of T眉rkiye's regional access network and China's global production and investment capabilities creates a complementary framework for delivering energy solutions in third countries.
- 'T眉rkiye provides access to Europe, Asia, Middle East and Africa'
Tianqi Han, president of G20 YEA China, told Anadolu that the initiative marks the beginning of a long-term partnership with TUGIAD.
Noting the opening of TUGIAD's China Center in April in Beijing, Han said the platform brings together the resources of both countries to support young entrepreneurs and joint ventures.
The platform was developed with the involvement of Chinese energy giant China Energy Engineering Corporation (CEEC) in response to strong demand from renewable energy companies, Han said. Over 50 member requests were received, with 95% seeking access to Chinese suppliers.
Han emphasized that the platform offers a one-stop solution to all these demands with the best prices, favorable terms, and most guaranteed quality, adding: "This is just the first step."
In addition to renewables, the platform will support Turkish firms in accessing Chinese machinery, robotics, and other industrial equipment, Han added: "We're moving into step number two, building on the platform to provide precise support for the fundraising demand of our Turkish enterprises."
Han said the first agreement signed under the platform is a 50-megawatt project worth $10 million. He also emphasized that the platform opens the door to strategic cooperation, not just commercial deals.
"We see the great potential between the two communities," he said.
"T眉rkiye is not just T眉rkiye. T眉rkiye provides good access to Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa," he explained.
He added that the potential lies not just in the partnership between T眉rkiye and China, but in the two countries joining forces to explore the massive markets in neighboring regions.
Han also highlighted the bilateral meetings held by CEEC with Turkish companies in Istanbul as part of the project.
"Only in two months, we have already signed the first deal worth around $10 million, bringing solid benefits to companies from both countries. After this visit, I think there will be much more demand fulfilled," he said.
He added that they hope to achieve one gigawatt of volume in the shortest possible time, and that this will be their phase one target.
- TUGIAD eyes wider G20 cooperation
Selim Baykal, head of TUGIAD's Bursa Branch and China Working Group, said their goal is to build cooperation with all G20 member countries, and China was the first to respond.
Baykal said mutual benefit was at the heart of the partnership with China, noting: "Goods are already being imported from China to T眉rkiye, and Turkish companies are also trading with Chinese firms."
He noted that the system could certainly be improved, and that if the Chinese side provided financing, the business volume could grow significantly for both parties.
"When the Chinese saw they could play a more active role in third countries alongside Turkish business leaders, they quickly embraced the project and sped up the process," Baykal added.
"We have engineering know-how, strong project execution capacity, and solid business networks in regions such as Africa, the Middle East, the Balkans, Europe and the Turkic Republics," he added.
"Together, we realized that 1+1 can equal 3 in these markets. That's why the Chinese side also prioritized the project and moved it forward quickly."
By Firdevs Yuksel and Handan Kazanci
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr