Türkiye aims to speed up investments and designate 2026 as the “year of wind,” its energy chief announced Tuesday, as the country moves forward with new renewable energy auctions and prepares for its first offshore projects.

“2026 will practically be the year of wind,” Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar told the Turkish Wind Energy Congress in Ankara, The Caspian Post reports, citing Qatar Tribune.

A total of 1,500 megawatts (MW) will be dedicated to wind as part of Renewable Energy Resource Zone (YEKA) tenders, Bayraktar added, referring to a mechanism aimed at encouraging clean power investments.

Offshore wind is among Türkiye’s most strategic renewable energy priorities with a “significant” potential, according to the minister.

Renewables are a key part of the country’s broader push to diversify energy supply, reduce its heavy import dependence and strengthen long-term energy security.

Turkiye aims to install 5 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind power capacity by 2035, and Bayraktar said four areas have been designated as installation sites.

The first offshore wind YEKA tender will be held after the completion of permitting processes, he added.

Bayraktar stated that the Saros Gulf, areas near the islands of Gökçeada, Bozcaada and the region off the coast of Edremit had been designated as offshore wind sites.

“After the permitting processes are completed, we will hold Türkiye’s first offshore wind YEKA tender,” he said, though he did not provide a timeline.

Ibrahim Erden, head of the Turkish Wind Energy Association (TUREB), also said they expect the first tender to be announced and held either later this year or at the beginning of next year.

Türkiye has, in recent years, intensified efforts to identify offshore wind energy zones, particularly in the northwestern part of the country.