Turkish hydroelectric output reaches a peak of 40%, which eases war-related pressures on energy

Official data show that the power produced by Turkey's hydroelectric plants in 'March' nearly doubled compared to a year earlier, to 40%. Heavy rainfall also helped ease the pressure on one of Europe's biggest natural gas importers' energy bills.

According to the market regulator EPDK, Turkey imported 16 billion cubic meters of natural gas last year, which is more than one-quarter. The largest part of Turkey's energy import bill last year was made up by natural gas and crude oil.

The war in the Middle East has caused a price spike for natural gas and oil.

Data from Turkey's energy exchange and market operator EPIAS shows that the hydroelectric power plants had a share of only 21% (in March) in the licensed electricity production in 2025. This was the driest?year in five decades.

Elvan Tugsuz Guven is the head of Turkey's private operators of hydroelectric power plants, HESIAD. He said that, unless there are extraordinary circumstances, they will continue to produce a large share of their electricity until June.

We expect momentum to continue on the short-term. "It's hard to predict the future, but we anticipate a gradual decline in production of?25-30% by June," said Ms. Shen, compared to a 17% drop a year ago.

Natural gas power plants' share in total production dropped to 8% in March, from 20% in last year. This was due to the dramatic increase in hydroelectric output?and coal-fired plants?contribution.

Guven stated that the increased production of hydroelectric power plants (HPP), which will be 26% of Turkey’s electricity generation capacity by the end of 2025, with 32 gigawatts of installed power (GW), has replaced natural gases.

She said: "They play and will continue to?play a significant part in supply... and are an essential resource to support energy safety."

Guven said that a?one-percentage-point increase in HPP production can save $300 million per year.

Two-thirds (32 GW) of Turkey's installed HPP capacity is reservoir-type plants, which can produce electricity all year round. The remaining third of the capacity is run-of river type plants with limited water storage.

(source: Reuters)